Afbeelding
Minor content
Within the spectrum of activities of bioengineering CRISPR CAS9 (genome editing technique) takes the lead in many directions. Genetic manipulation can be used to let cells produce new molecules and/or to knock out genes encoding for proteins, thus allowing to obtain knowledge about cell metabolism. This minor focuses on learning and applying the technique of CRISPR CAS9 and on exploring its consequences using –omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) approach. Students work on real-world project: knocking-out gene in mammalian cells in order to study possible target for cancer therapy, such contributing to sustainable development goal of Good health and well-being.
To obtain desired result, cloning strategy will be first designed and further carried out in the laboratory. Students will analyse the consequences of the genetic manipulation and perform functional studies of obtained cells. This course is intended to mimic the practice of a research group. Students are responsible for their own research and report the results by weekly meetings/presentations to the rest of the research groups (students) and their group leaders (lecturers). Additionally, students are motivated to discuss with their the class mates current findings in the bioengineering and –omics field via presenting selected research articles.
Structure of the minor
Course consists of six parts: A (Theory): 160 hours, B (Practical instructions in the laboratory): 88 hours, C (Research proposal): 166 hour, D (Laboratory assignment): 290 hours, E (-Omics Journal club): 108 hours, F (Self-reflection): 28 hours. Students get 30 EC when successfully finalizing all the parts of the course.
Competencies: Experimenting, level II; Researching, level II
Learning goals:
- Students will be able to orientate in the field of genetic engineering;
- Students will be able to perform predesigned CRISPR CAS9 experiment and design their own CRISPR CAS9 gene editing project;
- Students will be able to set up a research proposal and execute the practical part in the laboratory;
- Students will be able to use Clone Manager software and online tools to visualize cloning strategy;
- Students will be able to interpret and report data obtained from molecular cloning and software tools;
- Students will be able to interpret data obtained from research articles.
The project in this course is developed in cooperation with the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. Students will receive guest (international) lectures about their research topic and about legislation and ethics of GMO, and visit biotechnological company during organized excursion. As a closing moment of this course, students will present their results at self-organized congress.
Recommended literature for the course is:
- Thomas A., Thrive in Genetics, Oxford University Press, 2013, ISBN: 9780199694624
- Primrose S.B. and Twyman R.M., Principles in Gene Manipulation and Genomics, John Wiley And Sons Ltd, 2006, ISBN: 9781405135443
