Duration
18h Th, 6h AUTR
Number of credits
Master in bioengineering : chemistry and bio-industries (120 ECTS) | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Magali Deleu, Patrick Fickers, Laurence Lins, Sébastien Massart, Luc Willems
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course focuses on the molecular approaches currently developed by a bioengineer in the study and cellular characterization of prokaryotes and eukaryotes with a view to their exploitation and valorization. These approaches include aspects of genetic engineering and genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics. The theoretical notions of the course can be grouped according to three major axes:
1. Genetic and genomic engineering methods:
- the classic tools of genetic engineering, gene cloning, heterologous expression,
- expression systems, host organisms, notion of cell factory,
- metabolic engineering, synthetic biology.
2. Bioinformatics analysis of nucleic acid sequences:
- introduction to nucleic acid sequencing techniques and their evolution over time,
- bioinformatic analysis of nucleic acid sequences.
3. Bioinformatics and experimental biophysics analysis of protein sequences and their interactions with cell membranes:
- basic notions of bioinformatics analysis of proteins,
- primary sequence-tertiary structure-function relationship of soluble and membrane proteins,
- classical methods for the prediction of the structure-function relationship of proteins,
- experimental biophysical methods to characterize the interactions between peptides/proteins and cell membranes
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Learning objectives
- ability to define the cloning strategy, to select the most suitable vector/host organism for the production of recombinant proteins (homologous or heterologous) or metabolites of interest,
- ability to taxonomically and/or functionally characterize a nucleic acid sequence by comparing it to international databases,
- ability to use protein structure-function relationship prediction tools.
- ability to define the appropriate strategy for the study of protein/peptide interactions with cell membranes.
The practical aspects of these notions will be considered in the optional Master II module - "Du gène à la proteine".
Targeted skills
At the end of this multidisciplinary module, students should be able to integrate all molecular approaches into complex biological problems relating to agronomic sciences and biological engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
BIOL 2015-3 - Molecular biology
BIOL 2045-1 - Basis of Biology
BIOL 2013-2 - General microbiology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Concepts will be learned mainly in the form of lectures and practical exercises. Videos illustrating certain concepts/notions will also be available. Seminars of experts invited for certain theoretical aspects or certain selected models could also be organised. A guided tour of the GIGA in Liège will also be organized (mandatory). This excursion includes a presentation of the organization of GIGA, a visit to the platforms (genomics, zebra fish, imaging, culture rooms including L3), as well as a few project presentations.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Lecture: 18 H
Visit of the GIGA-ULg research centre: 6 h (Mandatory)
Recommended or required readings
- Text notes and publications from recent literature. PowerPoint will be available on eCampus.
Written examination on all the parts of the teaching
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Prof. Patrick Fickers
TERRA Teaching and Research Centre - B140
Yeast Biotechnology Group
Avenue de la Faculté 2B
B-5030 Gembloux
pfickers@ULiege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
ppt of the bioinformatic part on the protein sequence analysis and MD+docking simulations
bioinformatic part on the protein sequence analysis and MD+docking simulations