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10395-01 - Main lecture: Biochemistry - Molecular Principles of Life (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers |
Dominik Buser (dominik-pascal.buser@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Sebastian Hiller (sebastian.hiller@unibas.ch) |
| Content | Buser and Hiller will teach the following topics: 01. Introduction to metabolism and bioenergetics 02. Glycolysis and citric acid cycle 03. Gluconeogenesis and pentose phosphate pathway 04. Oxidative phosphorylation 05. Lipid metabolism 06. Photosynthesis and other metabolic pathways 07. From metabolism to proteins 08. Proteins 09. Ribosomes 10. DNA 11. RNA 12. Membranes 13. Origin of Life 14. Review |
| Learning objectives | Life is powered by an extraordinary network of molecular reactions. Every heartbeat, thought, movement, and cell division depends on the ability of cells to convert simple nutrients into energy, information, and the molecules from which living systems are built. In this lecture series, we uncover the molecular principles that make life possible. We begin with the big picture of metabolism, exploring how cells transform carbon fuels into ATP – the universal energy currency – and into the vast repertoire of biomolecules required for growth and function. Once this systems-level perspective is established, we zoom in to the molecular machines that execute these reactions with remarkable precision, enzymes (proteins). We then explore how proteins are built from amino acids and how these linear chains fold into precise three-dimensional structures that enable enzymes to catalyse the chemical reactions essential for life. From there, we explore how biological information is stored, transmitted, and translated. We examine DNA as the repository of genetic information, RNA as its versatile interpreter, and the ribosome as one of nature's most sophisticated molecular machines, transforming genetic code into functional proteins. Finally, we investigate how cells perceive and respond to their environment through molecular signalling, learning how billions of individual molecules coordinate their activities to produce coherent cellular decisions. By the end of the lecture, you will recognize metabolism, catalysis, information processing, and signalling not as separate topics, but as interconnected manifestations of a single principle: life emerges from the coordinated interactions of molecules. |
| Bibliography | For our lecture, we recommend the following books from Macmillan Learning: – "The Lehninger": Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry; David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox; ISBN 978-1-319-38149-3 (8th edition) – "The Stryer": Stryer, Biochemistry; Jeremy M. Berg, Gregory J. Gatto Jr., Justin K. Hines, John L. Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer; ISBN 978-1-319-49850-4 (10th edition) |
| Weblink | https://adam.unibas.ch |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, optional |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 10.15-12.00 | Biozentrum, Maurice E. Müller Saal U1.111 |
Dates
| Modules |
Modul: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Naturwissenschaften (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Naturwissenschaften (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Naturwissenschaften (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Modul: Naturwissenschaften (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences) Module: Advanced Chemistry (Bachelor's degree subject: Chemistry) Module: Advanced Chemistry (Master's degree subject: Chemistry) Module: Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry (Bachelor's Studies: Chemistry) Module: Biology 2 (Bachelor's Studies: Pharmaceutical Sciences) Module: Biology 3 (Bachelor's degree subject: Biology) Module: Biology 3 (Bachelor's Studies: Biology) Module: Computational Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences (Start of studies before 01.08.2023)) Module: Computer Science and Biochemistry (Bachelor's Studies: Chemistry (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Module: Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Studies: Nanosciences) Module: Natural Sciences (Bachelor's Studies: Computational Sciences (Start of studies before 01.08.2023)) |
| Assessment format | exam |
| Assessment details | Written exam after the 3rd semester, 45 Min. All information about the exam, like registration, duration, date and type of the exam, will be announced on https://philnat.unibas.ch/de/examen. (For provisional dates see https://bio.unibas.ch/en/examinations/main-lecture-exams/) |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: in 'course reg.'; dereg.: Dean of Std. Off. in writing |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Biozentrum |