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)
2. one seminar in the field of protein biochemistry and enzymology (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)

• 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)

• 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)