Physiology of Insulin Signaling: From Model Organisms to Human Disease

Abstract

The aim of the course is to understand the physiology of insulin/TOR signaling in yeast, flies, mice and humans. Students will be involved in a specific research project within one group. A particular focus will be the discussion of current research, and problem-based learning.

Objective

The insulin/TOR (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway is a key regulator of many cellular aspects, is conserved from yeast to mammals and plays important roles in metabolic disorders and tumor formation. The aim of the Blockkurs is to describe in detail the insulin/TOR pathway in model organisms (yeast, Drosophila, mouse), as well as its clinical relevance. A particular focus will be the discussion of recent research results, and how model organisms can help to better understand human disorders.

Content

For 12 days (three times two days), groups of two students will be persuing a research project within one of the following research groups: Christian Frei (Cell Biology), Ernst Hafen/Hugo Stocker (Molecular Systems Biology), Matthias Peter (Biochemistry), Romeo Ricci (Cell Biology), Markus Stoffel (Molecular Systems Biology) and Wilhelm Krek (Cell Biology). At the end of the course, each group of students will present their results in the form of a poster presentation. During one afternoon, all students will follow a course in clinical pathology with Aurel Perren (Clinical Pathology, University of Zurich). During the remaining days, students will have lectures by the group leaders, paper discussions and will perform problem-based learnings, which will be presented by the students. Marks will be given for: Written exam (counts 50%), quality of research and poster presentation, participation and problem-based learning (counts together 50%).

Resources