Genetics

• Cell Cycle: common regulatory mechanisms in the control of the cell cycle, DNA-replication, DNA-damage response, mitosis, meiosis, cytokinesis.
• Translation: Regulation of translation of eucaryotic mRNAs
• Presentation and discussion of a research based topic from the topics listed above
• Elaboration and presentation of methods that are used in cell cycle and translational control

1. Lecture: Cell Cycle Control in Eucaryotes / Control of Cell Proliferation (No. P-(D)-54402)
2. Lecture: A lecture in the field of genetics or molecular or cellular biology. Please select a lecture (see the course catalog at the university portal for list of lectures) and confirm with your oral examiner if this lecture would be suitable.
3. Seminar: Seminar on Current Topics in Cell Cycle and Translation Control / Cell Proliferation Control (No. P-(D)-54428)

In the seminar No. 3 a seminar presentation has to be held and registered in Flexnow as an ungraded study achievement (Studienleistung).

30 min oral examination (graded)

Examiner:

• Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Seufert
• Prof. Dr. Frank Sprenger
• PD Dr. Jan Medenbach

The student can choose the examiner.

Please get in contact with the examiner of your choice to arrange a date of the oral examination, than register the examination in flexnow.

• Analysis of the cell division cycle in budding yeast by use of classical genetic techniques such as mating, sporulation and tetrade dissection as well as cell synchronization, confocal fluorescence microscopy, time-lapse live-cell imaging, flow cytometry and further methods
• Analysis of the assembly of eIF2 by Cdc123 using PCR-mediated epitope-tagging, Western analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, yeast two-hybrid assays, heterologous expression and affinity-purification of proteins, ThermoFluor analysis and further methods
• Analysis of the control of mRNA translation by gene reporter assays, RNA preparation, RT-qPCR and RNAseq analysis, polysome profiling and further methods
• Presentation and discussion of own experimental gained data

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Regulation of Cell Division and mRNA Translation

Portfolio examination (graded)

In a six-week research project the student will work under guidance on a current research topics in the field of cell cycle regulatory processes. He will use, among other things, tissue culture cells (from Drosophila and vertebrates) as well as different developmental stages from Drosophila.

The student will present and discuss the data obtained in the research project as well as the relevant scientific background in a written report and will present and discuss the results in an oral presentation.

Laboratory course (6 weeks) with seminar: Regulation of Cell Division in Drosophila

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)