Metabolomics

Course Objective

Molecular biology studies the functioning of cells and organisms at themolecular level, and is applied in many fields. Metabolomics is a rapidly emerging field in molecular biology, and is one of the so-calledomics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics). Metabolomics measures small molecules – the metabolites – in the cell or organism with the aim of determining the health status. But it can also determine the influence of the environment on health, for example through diet or exposure to toxic substances. Examples of metabolites are amino acids,ATP, sugars, neurotransmitters, lipids, etc.

Metabolomics aims to measure the complete set of metabolites (the metabolome) in organisms and is widely used in the medical, toxicological, and biological field. Metabolites function in a network and are transported to the desired destination via the streets as in a city. Metabolites have a major influence on the phenotype, behavior butalso on the development of organisms.

Course Content

The course provides an introduction to metabolomics and will discuss and use the tools and techniques (practical) needed to conduct a metabolomics study. Various applications of metabolomics in biology, medical and toxicological fields will be discussed. A focus point in the course is the performance of a metabolomics experiment in which you will work with eggs of zebrafish. You follow the development from egg to embryo, determine lipids and neurotransmitters in the embryos, and process and analyse the large amount of data.

Teaching Methods

Lectures (18 hours)

Metabolomics practical (28 hours)

Data processing (20 hours)

Presentation (16 hours)

Practicum report (8 hours)

Self-study (78 hours)

Type of Assessment

Examination (50% of the final grade, average grade at least 5.5).

Presentation (25% of the final grade, average grade at least 5.5).

Practicum report (25% of the final grade, average grade at least 5.5).