spring 2020 BIO-3010 Modelling in Systems Biology I -Metabolic pathway modelling - 5 ECTS

Application deadline

Concerns only admission to singular courses: Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Type of course

Master course for biology students.The course is available as a singular course. Maximum participants: 10 (minimum 4)

Admission requirements

Local admission, application code 9371 - - Master`s level singular course. Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.

The course will be arranged with a minimum number of  4 students.

Maximum participants: 10


Course content

Modeling is an important tool in current biology. It is widely used to help experimental design, in drug target prediction and in the prediction of disease related changes. We will focus on the modeling of metabolic pathways in this course especially on the reconstruction of kinetic models and simulation techniques. We will discuss limitation of modeling approaches due to limited parameter availability and perform parameter estimation based on available experimental data. In the practical part students will be introduced to different programs available for stoichiometric and kinetic modeling. The integration of gene expression data into the modeling approach will be an essential part of the course. Furthermore, several related databases such as BioCyc, KEGG, BRENDA and Biomodels will be introduced during the course.

Objectives of the course

Basic knowledge on metabolic pathway analysis, biomathematical modelling, sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation. Knowledge of tools available for kinetic modeling and knowledge about related databases. Students will be able to reconstruct small metabolic network models and simple kinetic models and perform time courses simulations as well as parameter estimation from biological data. Students will furthermore be able to perform stoichiometric analysis and simple flux balance analysis with tools available in the internet. The goal is that the students have a general understanding of modeling and its applications to different biological topics. They will furthermore be familiar with available databases and web based tools.

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

Intensive course 1 week, 40 hours combined lectures and computer practicals

Assessment

Written project work. Grade: Pass/Fail. There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.

Error rendering component

  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 5
  • Course code: BIO-3010