Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions
The aim of this course is to understand how the immune system of plants functions, how plants and beneficial or pathogenic microbes interact with each other, and what the determinants are for their success in these different interactions. In the course several integration levels of plant-microbe (and -insect) interactions are discussed: from genes, signal molecules,
Research in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is at the heart of many modern systems biology analyses, and encompasses the application of statistics and computer science to (large-scale) biomolecular datasets. In essence, bioinformatics is about smart ways of extracting knowledge from the enormous amounts of data that can be generated using modern measurement techniques. For instance, it plays an important role
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
Transitions, Innovation en Governance
TRIG provides an overview of frameworks and methods to study and guide sustainable innovation, sustainability transitions, in particular socio-technical transitions and their governance, as these are all important to bring about sustainability and transitions to sustainability. Increasing the understanding of the underlying societal mechanisms and processes of sustainable innovation and sustainability transitions is important in
Agroecology
The course focuses on agroecological principles to analyse and design sustainable and productive farming systems. Agroecological principles include: Recycling and efficiency; Living Soils; Biodiversity; Ecosystem services and multi-functionality; Resilience; Fair Markets; Culture & spirituality; Youth & Women; Adequate Policies & governance; Knowledge co-creation and collaboration. Students will explore how agroecological farming systems are developed across
Data Mining
The goal of the course is to teach students how to think like a data miner. Intuitively, this means you have the mindset and skills to find practical solutions to common problems you encounter when extracting knowledge, patterns, and models from large data sets. To make such solutions effective, you must understand both the underlying
Keystone Project III: Big Data
Welke genen worden geactiveerd bij stress? Waarom bevorderen sommige bacterieën immuniteit? Hoe ontstaat kanker? Hoe wordt een microbe een ziekteverwekker? Om dit soort vragen te beantwoorden worden er vaak grote datasets –“Big Data” gecreëerd. In deze gevallen is analyse van de resultaten met eenvoudige middelen (Excel etc.) niet meer werkbaar. Om hiermee om te gaan
Introduction to Responsible AI Engineering
Introduction to AI and Responsible AI Engineering (hereafter Responsible AI for short) introduces students to the history of AI development and how it got entrenched in society, as well as to the range of ethical issues that tend to arise during the development, design and application of AI in society.
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