Required in stage
First term
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
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Prerequisites
Taught by
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical courses
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractAims
After this course, the students will be able
- to define what a model organism is and to explain why and when model organisms are used,
- to define and describe postgenomic and genetic technologies that are currently being used in model organism research
- to critically ask questions in lectures on model organisms,
- to critically read articles in which these model organisms are used,
- to propose a model suited to address specific biological or medical questions,
- to explain experiments done with biological models,
- to interview a scientist working with a particular model organism,
- to retrieve specific information from genomic databases on particuler model organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio and Mus musculus
- to collaborate with a colleague student while preparing a presentation on model organisms
- to present scientific data that result from research on a model organism for an audience of colleague students.
- to apply model organisms in his/her own research topic
Previous knowledge
Knowledge on general physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, basic principles of bioinformatics are essential, but will be overviewed in short.
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven) (Specialisation: Biochemistry and Biotechnology) 120 ects.
- Master in de biochemie en de biotechnologie (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
- Master in de biologie (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Biology (Leuven) 120 ects.
Activities
4.4 ects. Model Organisms in Biological Research (B-KUL-G0G43a)
Content
Biological research relies heavily on the controlled context of model organism research to increase functional knowledge. Relying on the concept of evolutionary conserved physiological mechanisms, genes of unknown function can now be studied in the more tractable model systems. This course enables the student to get familiar with the most commonly used model organisms in biology (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, Danio rerio, Mus musculus). The course will explain how this research depends on progress in bioinformatics. Although it is not possible to cover all model organisms in detail, a general overview of model organisms will be provided pointing at what these models can be used for and what their place in the evolutionary tree is. Post-genomic and genetic technologies used to address biological questions studied in model organisms will be covered. About 5 models will be presented in more detail giving historical landmarks of their importance, developing the pros and cons of these models and the practical aspects of working with these models. The course will also address how a model organism is chosen and what the ethical and legislative constraints are.
Course material
Powerpoint slides and articles on Toledo
Suggested reading:
Model organisms in Drug Discovery (edited by Pamela M. Carroll and Kevin Fitzgerald).
ISBN 0-470-84893-6
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
1.6 ects. Model Organisms in Biological Research: Exercises (B-KUL-G0G44a)
Content
Biological research relies heavily on the controlled context of model organism research to increase functional knowledge. Relying on the concept of evolutionary conserved physiological mechanisms, genes of unknown function can now be studied in the more tractable model systems. This course enables the student to get familiar with the most commonly used model organisms in biology (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, Danio rerio, Mus musculus). The course will explain how this research depends on progress in bioinformatics. Although it is not possible to cover all model organisms in detail, a general overview of model organisms will be provided pointing at what these models can be used for and what their place in the evolutionary tree is. Post-genomic and genetic technologies used to address biological questions studied in model organisms will be covered. About 5 models will be presented in more detail giving historical landmarks of their importance, developing the pros and cons of these models and the practical aspects of working with these models. The course will also address how a model organism is chosen and what the ethical and legislative constraints are.
The exercises form part of the course 'Model organisms in Biological Research' and include
- Getting accustomed with information contained in model organism databases
- Practical assays using small invertebrate model organisms (e.g. C. elegans and D. melanogaster) to understand concepts of functional genetics
- Project work, in which students will:
1) Interview a researcher – learn more about their work on model organisms in biological research
2) Make a presentation of what they learned in the interview and from literature (e.g. publications from the researcher),
and integrate this with what they have learned in this course.
Each presentation will be followed by a classroom discussion.
Course material
Practical course available on Toledo.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Model Organisms in Biological Research (B-KUL-G2G43a)
Explanation
part 1) evaluation of practical exercises including presentation followed by class room discussion (weight: 7/20 as a combination of: 1 practical exercises + 1,5 discussion + 3,5 presentation + 1 asking relevant questions)
part 2) examination during the exam period (weight: 13/20 as a combination of: 4 discussion of research paper + 9 theoretical knowledge of course content)
The final examination can not be started before all practical exercises are completed. The practical exercises are mandatory.
Information about retaking exams
Part 1 of the exam (permanent evaluation) is slightly different. The presentation cannot be followed by a classroom discussion. Questions related to the presentation will be asked by the examinator.