The TopMaster Biomolecular Integration/Systems Biology

CRBCS (Centre for Research on BioComplex Systems),

vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

Aims:

• become an excellent, multidisciplinary, yet profound researcher in the quantitative life sciences and part of a peer group of such researchers
• understand the physical, chemical and organizational principles underlying life
• obtain expertise with advanced molecular and cell biological techniques, such as space- and time-resolved spectroscopy, chemistry of complex molecules, molecular dynamics, confocal microscopy, molecular biology, genetics, integrative genomics and metabolomics

• obtain expertise in advanced conceptual and modeling methodologies for bioinformation and computing technologies, such as Medical Systems Biology, computational biology, ecological and hierarchical control analysis, networks, Integrative bioinformatics, principles of Systems Biology, self-organization, Silicon Cell, flux analysis, Hierarchical Control Analysis, mathematical/kinetic modeling

• obtain insight in the most important biological and biomedical issues, and in how they may be addressed scientifically, and insight into what systems biology may mean for society

· unique, excellent profile connecting the physical sciences and the life sciences

Curriculum (2 year, 120 ECTS; 2004-2006)

Portal course 9 ECTS

Central course: molecules integrating into living systems 33 ECTS

Scientific communication techniques 3 ECTS

International research project 65 ECTS

Reflection (ethics, philosophy of systems biology, science sociology) 6 ECTS

Preparation for final comprehensive exam 4 ECTS

Courses

1. Portal course: entry course of mathematics and physics for the biologist and medical student, and biology for the physics/chemistry/mathematics bachelor (9 ECTS)
2. Central course: from molecules through integration to life

a. Proteins: structures, folding and dynamics (Van der Vies, Vermeulen 5 ECTS)

b. Molecular Microbiology (Oudega et al. 6 ECTS)

c. Biological Fluorescence-Biomolecule Interactions (Lill et al.; 6 ECTS)

d. Intracellular networks (Westerhoff et al.; 5 ECTS)

e. Sequence Analysis (Heringa et al.; 5 ECTS)

f. Self-organization and emergence of function (Westerhoff et al.; 3 ECTS)

g. Current topics systems biology (international professors; 3 ECTS)

International research project

One research exchange project in two laboratories (partly in Amsterdam and partly in one of the collaborating International Centers of Excellence), on Systems Biology / Biomolecular Integration:

Orientation on/proposing future research project (including literature thesis) 11 ECTS

Refereeing of similar research proposals 2 ECTS

8 months’ actual scientific research 45 ECTS

Scientific article about research project 5 ECTS

Scientific conference (co-organizing, participating, reporting) 2 ECTS

Career opportunities

There is a surge in Systems Biology research, new groups being set up world-wide [Nature 427, p. 568 (Feb 2004)]. Young bright people are wanted at the interface between Biology and Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics. The curriculum connects to subsequent Ph D studentships.

Further information: www.systembiology.net/topmaster;

Prof. dr. H.V. Westerhoff;

+31 20 444 7228; Hans.Westerhoff

@falw.vu.nl