SSB-30806 Systems Biology from Gene to Ecosystem

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures24
Practical extensively supervised51
Course coordinator(s)dr. C Fleck
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. J Molenaar
prof. dr. PC de Ruiter
dr. C Fleck
Examiner(s)dr. C Fleck
prof. dr. J Molenaar
prof. dr. PC de Ruiter

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

EZO-23306 Modelling Biological Systems; Mathematics 2+3 (MAT-14903 + MAT-15003), or equivalent.

Contents:

Biological systems are characterized by connections between a multitude of different components that are highly dynamic. A main goal of systems biology is to incorporate these connections into models that describe and predict the activity of living organisms in their ecosystems in time and space. Systems biology heavily depends on mathematical modelling approaches, in order to generate models that helps to understand living systems, as well as to predict the future structure and functioning of living systems. Irrespective whether one considers intracellular interaction networks on the molecular or foodwebs on the ecosystem level, the mathematical tools which are applied are the same - systems biology is independent of the level of biological organisation. In this course we will discuss case-studies covering a wide array of biological systems at different levels of organization, showing how mathematical modelling can be applied to biological problems on these very different scales. The course builds on basic knowledge of students in the modelling of biological systems and mathematics, with emphasis on the integrated perspective of systems biology. Students will learn that several types of models can describe one very same system, depending on the specific research question. Conversely, the same modelling approach can be used to investigate diverse biological problems at different organization levels. During the course students will learn how to apply different types of mathematical models, using mathematical methods such as ordinary differential equations, and formulate experimentally testable hypotheses to describe and predict processes at cellular, organism and ecosystems level. This will also make students aware of the modelling problems at different organization levels in biology.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the concepts of systems biology;
- explain with examples that the concept of a 'network' may be used to describe biological phenomena at all levels of aggregation design mathematical models to investigate biological questions;
- design mathematical model describing the dynamical behaviour of a given network related to a number of biological systems. In concrete, the student may handle models, among others, for the following systems: chemotaxis, predator-prey systems, signalling pathways, circadian clocks;
- apply mathematical tools to describe, investigate, and analyse the behaviour of dynamical networks.

Activities:

- lectures;
- computer assisted practical's;
- tutorials.

Examination:

- exercises (20%);
- written exam with open questions (80%).

Literature:

Will be available at the WUR-shop.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MBIBiologyMSc2MO
MBFBioinformaticsMSc5AF