Introduction to Machine Learning (UU)

The goal of this course is to give an introduction to machine learning. We will introduce several successful methods for regression, classification, clustering, and data dimension reduction and develop the mathematical theory behind these methods, with a focus on continuous optimization theory. In the exercise sessions, the students will work on proof-style exercises, as well

Advanced Biotechnology (UCU)

This is one of the final courses in a series of three courses in molecular cell biology. In the first introductory course (UCSCIBIO11), you gained a lot of basic knowledge about the major characteristics of life on Earth. In the intermediate UCSCIBIO21 course, we explored the molecular world of the cell in more detail and

Data Science for Plant Breeding and Genetics

One of the major goals for plant breeders is to identify candidate varieties that are well adapted to the set of environmental conditions that are relevant for the agricultural system of interest. To achieve this goal, breeders characterize their genotypes in multi-environment trials or in phenotyping platforms. The ranking of genotypes might change across trials,

Climate Smart Agriculture

Agriculture contributes significantly to global warming through large scale greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time many agriculture systems are vulnerable to climate change and without adaptation global food production could significantly reduce affecting food security. In response to these challenges the concept of climate smart agriculture has been developed. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) aims to

Molecular Systems Biology

Nowadays increasing numbers of complete genomic sequences are available and methods have been developed to study system wide gene expression, protein abundances and interactions and metabolite formation. Systems biology integrates the results of the different omics techniques in order to understand how they work together by using dedicated analysis and visualisation techniques (e.g. machine learning,

Advanced Omics: from Single-Cell to Meta-Omics Approaches

Omics technologies have revolutionized our ways of looking at the relationship between genotype and phenotype of living organisms. Those technologies are nowadays widely applied to many organisms (bacteria, plants, animals, human). Yet for many years researchers have been looking only at average effects by analysing bulk samples. Recently, single-cell analyses have become available for many

Artificial Intelligence in (Bio-)Chemical Engineering

The digital transition of the (bio)-chemical industry and research requires new intelligent knowledge and decision-making tools. The increasing availability of data and computational resources over the past decade has led to a resurgence of machine learning-based research. Artificial intelligence has significant advantages over traditional modeling techniques, including flexibility, accuracy, and speed of execution. Therefore, artificial

Principles of Plant Breeding

Online version of the course plant breeding. E-learnings. This course introduces students to key principles of plant breeding. Plant breeding is the science-driven creative process of changing the traits of plants in order to develop new plant varieties. Several essential approaches and tools used in the process are discussed: different modes of reproduction, selection methods,