Study Programmes 2015-2016
GBIO0016-1  
Introduction to systems and synthetic biology
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in bio-informatics and modelling (120 ECTS)5
Master in bio-informatics and modelling (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Frank Delvigne, Bernard Joris
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The course  will give an introduction to systems and synthetic biology.
The part "introduction to systems biology" covers the emerging properties of dynamical systems, such as robustness, performance, complexity and optimality.
The topics of the theoretical parts on synthetic biology are:
  • historical overview of synthetic biology
  • tools and approaches in synthetic biology
  • DNA sequencing and building of "elementary bricks"
  • mathematical modelling
  • measurements (microscopy, flow cytometry)
  • design of metabolic pathways
  • design of regulatory systems
  • security, social and ethical aspects
The theoretical part will be followed by a synthetic biology projet consisting of modelling and an implementation in E.coli.
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of this course, the student will master basic concepts of systems and synthetic biology. He or she will be able to build virtually as well as in E. coli simple synthetic systems.
This course is taught in English, with support material available in English.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
none
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course is based on ex-cathedra lectures, and a laboratory project requiring the use of a computer for simulating biochemical reaction systems (Matlab or a software dedicated to simulating biological systems) as well as biological / biochemical manipulations.
This course is taught in English. Students may ask questions in French or English.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
The systems biology part is based on the book: Uri Alon « An Introduction to Systems Biology: Design Principles of Biological Circuits », Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematical & Computational Biology, 1996.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Detailed individuel report (publication style) on the project (25%); oral examen (75%).
Participation in the project is a prerequisite for the final oral exam.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course is organised in the second quadrimestre, at dates to be arranged.
Contacts :
Franck DELVIGNE
Chimie et bio-industries  /  Bio-industries  BG1 Bio-industries Passage des Déportés 2 5030 Gembloux  Tel 081 622 311 F.Delvigne@ulg.ac.be
 
Bernard JORIS
Unité de Physiologie et Génétique bactériennes Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines Institut de Chimie B6a Room 1.50b  Tel 04 366 2954  bjoris@ulg.ac.be  Secretary Fabienne Julémont Tel 04 366 3341