Gene Regulation

Eukaryotic genomes contain thousands of genes and transposons. To function optimally, genes must be expressed at the right time and place, and transposons inactivated. This course explores the complex mechanisms involved in gene regulation, including DNA sequences, proteins, RNAs, genetic and epigenetic processes, and newly discovered mechanisms like phase separation. Techniques used to study gene

Germplasm and Seed Technology

This course introduces students to a number of important aspects of plant breeding, such as the process of domestication, germplasm development and the importance of gene banks. Also, important practical aspects on bringing a cultivar to the market are discussed, such as breeders’ rights and patents, and the design of seed and plant production programs.

Plant Biotechnology (online)

Plant biotechnology is a discipline that connects the new insights into genes and their products with the end product that is destined for the market. As with other technological disciplines, plant biotechnology comprises a mixture of many other scientific areas of biological sciences such as molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology and genetics. In this course we

Microbial Genomics

Microbes (bacteria, archaea and microbial eukaryotes, including fungi) are key members of our biosphere and are highly relevant for human life as mutualists and pathogens and as crucial drivers of nutrient cycling, agriculture, and many other aspects of our daily lives. The genomes of microbes provide a wealth of information on the processes and mechanisms

Molecular Cell Biology

De combinatie van de vakken Moleculaire Celbiologie, Life Sciences en Biochemie geven een complete introductie van de werking van de levensprocessen in de cel. Studenten maken kennis met de moleculaire wereld en leren een moleculaire manier van denken aan. In de Moleculaire Celbiologie nemen we het functioneren van de kleinste levende eenheid, de cel, als

Advanced Crop Physiology

Understanding crop physiology is of utmost importance for adapting agriculture to the challenges associated to climate change and environmental degradation. While molecular biology has made impressive strides in elucidating the regulation of processes in plants, the challenge remains to understand what this means for processes in real crops as this is the level at which

Advanced Bioinformatics (UU)

In de cursus wordt aandacht besteed aan het begrijpen van en werken met grote hoeveelheden gegevens zoals de laatste jaren in veel genetisch en moleculair onderzoek worden verkregen. Deze technologische ontwikkelingen vereisen nieuwe vaardigheden en concepten om life science onderzoek te kunnen begrijpen en uitvoeren. In het eerste deel van de cursus wordt een veel

Advanced Cellular Imaging Techniques

Advanced light microscopy and reporter gene techniques are indispensable for mechanistic studies on the functioning and organization of cells. New microscopy technologies and digital imaging allow us to study dynamic processes at shorter time scales and with higher spatial resolution in living cells. In this practical course the principles and cell biological application of different