Biochemistry

• Methods of physical biochemistry: e.g. optical spectroscopy, hydrodynamics, chromatography, electrophoresis
• Structure and stability of biomolecules: e.g. protein folding, protein stability, nucleic acid-protein interactions

• Presentation and discussion of a research based topic in the field of protein biochemistry and enzymology

1. at least two lectures in the field of protein biochemistry and enzymology (for a selection see LSF; WS and SS)
2. one seminar in the field of protein biochemistry and enzymology (for a selection see LSF; WS and SS)

In the seminar a seminar presentation has to be held and registered in Flexnow as an ungraded study achievement (Studienleistung).

30 min oral examination (graded)

The student can choose the examiner.

(Der Prüfer kann vom Studierenden frei gewählt werden.)

• Discussion of the biogenesis and the diverse functions of coding and non-coding RNAs
• Introduction of the different classes of regulatory non-coding RNAs
• Mediation of basic knowledge in RNA-RNA, RNA-DNA and RNA-Protein interactions
• Presentation of current research directions in the field of RNA biochemistry/biology
• Insights into current methodical approaches and applications of RNA biochemistry
• Illustration of the role of RNA in disease and its potential therapeutic applications

• Presentation and discussion of a current research-based topic in the field of RNA biochemistry/biology

1. at least two lectures in the field of RNA biochemistry (for a selection see LSF)
2. one seminar in the field of RNA biochemistry (for a selection see LSF)

In the seminar a seminar presentation has to be held and registered in Flexnow as an ungraded study achievement (Studienleistung).

30 min oral examination (graded)

The student can choose the examiner.

(Der Prüfer kann vom Studierenden frei gewählt werden.)

• Participation in a current research project of protein biochemistry
• Training in planning, conducting and evaluating experiments
• Training in search of relevant literature
• Getting to know and using modern methods of protein biochemistry and enzymology
• Presentation and discussion of own experimentally gained data

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology

Portfolio examination (graded)

• Introduction into a current research field of the group
• Mediation of basic molecular biological and biochemical applications
• Consolidation of current RNA biochemical methods corresponding to the research project
• Independent theoretical processing of the whole project
• Presentation and discussion of own experimental data in a written and an oral presentation

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: RNA Biology

Portfolio examination (graded)

• Functional analysis of chromatin modifying enzymes in vitro and in vivo.
• Characterisation of the chromatin structures and dynamic mechanisms in human and murine cells and as well in the Malaria causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
• Determining the mechanism of sequence specific DNA access in chromatin and characterisation of the genome architecture by high throughput sequencing methods and bioinformatics.
• Functional characterisation of non-coding RNA binding to chromatin.
• Sequence specific binding of non-coding RNA to DNA via the formation of triple helices.
• Quantification of molecular interactions by the microscale thermophoresis method.
• Presentation and discussion of own experimental gained data.

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Chromatin Dynamics and Nuclear Architecture

Portfolio examination (graded)

• In vivo, ex vivo and in vitro experiments to study ribosome biogenesis in the model organism S. cerevisiae and in archaea, for example
• Analysis of the RNA polymerase I transcription machinery
• Analysis of rDNA chromatin
• Assembly of pre-ribosomes
• Possibilities exist to use cellbiological, genetic and biochemical approaches to analyse synthesis and processing of RNA, structure and function of chromatin as well as mass spectrometric proteom analyses
• Presentation and discussion of own experimental gained data

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Ribosome Biogenesis

Portfolio examination (graded)

• Cell-biological and biochemical experimentation aimed to analyse post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression
• Eukaryotic tissue culture: maintenance and transfection of eukaryotic cells, preparation of cellular extracts, isolation of nucleic acids
• Reporter gene analyses: e.g. cloning of reporter genes, RT-PCR analyses of reporter genes, luciferase assays, and/or analysis of gene expression by Western blotting
• Expression and purification of recombinant proteins
• Presentation and discussion of experimental data obtained during the practical course (during the lab seminar)

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression

Portfolio examination (graded)