Prospectus

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Integrated Cell Biology (ICB

Course
2015-2016

Actual course information
Up to date schedule information

Elective course in the MSc Chemistry and Life Science and Technology

Description:

Integrated Cell Biology is organized as a one-week course combining theoretical lectures on cell culture technologies in the morning with state-of-the-art practicals in the afternoon. The course will provide an efficient and integrated view on today’s possibilities to study, develop and exploit in vitro human cell cultures for biomedical research purposes. Each session will focus on a specific ongoing research project (preferentially within LIC) that will be presented by the responsible scientist.

Day 1:
Lecture (2 hours, morning): Introduction: Human cell culture: history and future (including ethical and safety aspects). Introduction to the practicals
Practicals (4 hours, afternoon): Initiation to sterile cell culture techniques, cell inspection using phase contrast microscopy; initiate cell cultures from frozen stocks
Day 2:
Lecture (2 hours, morning): Culture of immortal (cancer) or normal human cells: pros and contras
Practicals (4 hours, afternoon): Plasmid transfection with 3 different GFP-fusion constructs (chemical PEI transfection). Setup cultures for FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting)
Day 3:
Lecture (2 hours, morning): Stem cells, organoid cultures and regenerative medicine
Practicals (4 hours, afternoon): Analyze transfection experiment with fluorescent microscope. Fixation of cells on coverslips. Set up an overnight live cell imaging experiment (demonstration). Treat cells with nocodazole (mitotic poison) for later FACS analysis
Day 4:
Invited Lecturer (1 hour): General theme: Ongoing Cell Research in Chemical Biology
Practicals (10-17 h): Evaluate time-lapse experiment. Inspect nocodazole treated cells and label for FACS analysis. Perform FACS analysis.
Day 5:
Practicals (9-15 h): Perform IFA staining followed by fluorescent microscope analysis. Compilation of data
Final evaluation (15-17 h): Discussion and evaluation of experimental results

Note: The course is limited to maximally 12 participants per session in order to promote efficient individual training.
Pre-registration via Blackboard is obligatory to participate.

Assessment method

Students write a short research proposal related to the research subject discussed by the invited lecturer on day 4. The student with the best mark can earn a Master internship in the corresponding research group.

Prerequisites info

BSc in Life Science and Technology or MST/Chemistry

Additional info:

Enroll via Blackboard (non-automatic enrollment)