BMB836: Application of CRISPR Genome Engineering in Cell Biology and Biomedicine
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N210045102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master's level course approved as PhD course
STADS ID (UVA): N210045101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 23-10-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
01016701 (former UVA) is identical with this course description.
The course is aimed at master level students but can also be followed by students at Ph.D. level in which case the criteria for the written assignment are adjusted and evaluated accordingly.
A minimum number of participants (8) is required before the course is implemented and a maximum number can participate (24). The course has limited seats and in case of too many applications, priority is given to the timely registration by date of registration.
Entry requirements
Bachelor degree in Molecular Bioscience, Biomedicine or admitted to the master in Computational Biomedicine.
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge corresponding to the curriculum presented in the courses BMB536, BMB507 and BMB508.
- Be able to conduct basic laboratory experiments in cell and molecular biology.
Participant limit
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to provide an overview of the biological origin, the principles, and the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome engineering. Although the main focus of the course is on methodological approaches to alter genomic DNA sequence (gene editing), the course will also illustrate the computational design and genome considerations involved, how the system can be used to modify epigenetic marks (epigenetic editing), modulate functional output (transcriptional regulation), and reorganize chromosomal structure (structural manipulation). In the experimental part, the student will learn how to design CRISPR targets using bioinformatics tools and how to generate gene knockouts/knock-ins, validate editing events, and analyse phenotypes using current technologies. The aim of the experimental part is to enable the students to apply these novel and efficient technologies in their own research projects.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired during the second year courses BMB536, BMB507, and BMB508 and gives an academic basis for studying the causality between the genome and phenotype relevant for BMB and Biomedical students.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to understand the biology and principles of the CRISPR/Cas9 system
- Give the competence to utilize bioinformatic toolkit to design CRISPR/Cas9 probes.
- Give experimental skills to apply CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing
- Give knowledge and understanding of genome engineering in life science research and medical applications.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Understand the evolution and biological relevance of CRISPR.
- Understand the underlying principles, mechanism of action, and the potential as well as limitations of genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9.
- Design target specific CRISPR/Cas9 reagents and incorporate their use in own research project.
- Analyze and assess own results as well as those obtained by others using CRISPR/Cas9.
- Explore other enzymes and systems for genome editing.
- Discuss upcoming developments in the field of genome editing.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- The evolution and biological relevance of CRISPR
- Design of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents (gRNAs) using bioinformatic tools
- Understanding structure of gRNA’s, associated delivery system and principle behind targeting genome
- Delivery methods (transfection/transduction) and associated vector systems
- Basic rules for knockout and knock-in, including design of knock-in targeting constructs
- DNA repair pathways and mode of CRISPR delivery and action
- Methods for detection of CRSPR/Cas9-induced editing, single-clone isolation, clonal expansion, enrichment and validation
- Off-target considerations and rescue strategies
- Cell systems and model organisms
- Targeted and genome-wide screens
- Alternative genome editing tools
- Application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome engineering
- Biomedical applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology
- Technology development
- Ethical recommendation
Literature
The course literature will consists of review articles, research articles, exercises and protocols provided via e-learn at the start of the course.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
June
Tests
Oral exam based on an individual written assignment
EKA
N210045102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
Elaboration on the choice of teaching methods and their mutual coherence: The teaching methods for the theoretical part involve lectures based on review articles presented by the instructors and tutorials based on research articles presented by the students and discussed with the instructors. The teaching methods for the practical part involve computer exercise based on open-source software and laboratory exercises. The study phase includes preparations for the theoretical and practical parts and for a final assignment to be defended at an oral exam. The three phases provide progression of knowledge on how to design target specific CRISPR/Cas9 reagents and incorporate their use in the students own research project.
Educational activities
- Prepare for lectures by reading selected literature provided by the instructors.
- Prepare presentations for tutorials, which are conducted in the format of a journal club, where developments in the field of genome editing are discussed by evaluating research publications.
- Prepare small written assignments as part of the computer exercises.
- Prepare a written assignment based on the laboratory exercises (group) and topics discussed during the course (individual).
Teacher responsible
| Name | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Jens S. Andersen | jens.andersen@bmb.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi |
| Kedar Nath Natarajan | knn@d-ias.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi |