Engineering Genetic Information

This advanced course focuses on the information embedded in the genome of a cell: how it is organized, accessed, interpreted, manipulated and analyzed using structural biological, genomics and proteomics approaches. The course will introduce the students to the methods for precise modification of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes (genomic engineering), show how they can be used to create models for fundamental research, correct genetic defects by gene therapy, and develop new strains and varieties for agriculture and biotechnology. Strengths and limitations of both state of the art (CRISPR/Cas) and historical techniques will be described.

To illustrate the required underlying principles for making informed choices during the design of a genome engineering approach, the course addresses how the structure of biomolecules defines their function, how to interpret structural information that is available in public databases, and how to use this information in the design of variants for functional studies and in mapping and interpretation of patient mutations. Furthermore, the students will learn how to analyze information encoded in the genome using genomics, transcriptomics and proteomic tools. For the latter, students will be introduced into the principles of mass spectrometry-based proteomics and will learn how to identify (mutant) proteins based on the interpretation of mass spectra in a practical course.

At the end of this course, students will be able to tackle research questions using genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics concepts in an integrated approach. The focus of this course is on application and integration of knowledge. Active participation in class assignments and discussion sessions is required.