• Foundational Bioinformatics Skills:
  Students understand and apply fundamental bioinformatic algorithms (e.g., sequence alignment, search methods) and interpret results critically, addressing common tool challenges.

• Data Processing: Students utilize biological data, understand common file formats, and analyze sequences (DNA, RNA, proteins), including alignment and comparison of sequences.

• Databases and Analysis: learn to work with biological databases, perform advanced search methods, and effectively filter and interpret results.

• Generative AI: Introduction to generative AI models as a tool to support scientific work, create targeted prompts, and assess potential challenges in working with AI.

• Lectures with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Individual Project work

Final exam: Final individual project work

• Introduction to bioethical concepts and theories

• Critical reflection of current bioethical issues relevant to the life sciences/pharmaceutical/ biotech industries

• Ethics in emerging technologies (eg artificial intelligence and other innovations relevant to the professional field)

• Responsibility (individual, societal, professional) and preparedness to act ethically in alignment with these responsibilities

• Open debate on global dimensions and multidimensional perspectives of key issues of bioethical concern

• Insights into the Ethics Committee of FH Campus Wien

• Lecture with activating methods,

• group work,

• discussion,

• work assignments with (peer) feedback,

• presentation,

• reflection,

• blended learning

Continuous assessment: All course tasks are assessed and contribute to the final mark: including active participation in the in-class sessions, in group discussions, written individual & group tasks, self-study/-reflection, blended learning.

• Onboarding workshop with final group presentation.

• Students become acquainted with each other through a guided process, which takes their various educational biographies and diverse national and cultural backgrounds into account.

• They experience, through mutual exchange, the strengths and weaknesses that may/will play a role in the short-term (duration of their studies), mid-term (3-5 years after their studies; professional orientation) and long-term (future profession).

• They build self-directed teams which utilize the diversity at hand as a resource. They learn to understand the advantages of both individual and team-based learning and working.

• They recognize the richness of the diversity within their (studies) peer-group as well as synergies at all levels and are encouraged to develop their own professional network which can be of beneficial use in the short and midterm, at home or abroad and their career start in an international and interdisciplinary, research-intensive and innovative sector.

• They are also encouraged to recognize their own personal/private network which can also be of use in the short-, mid- and long-term.

• They can, in collaborative groups, generate and integrate knowledge, solutions and courses of action based on real perceived challenges, selected by themselves, from their studies and future professional life and tasks derived therefrom.

• They can see and appreciate multiple perspectives as an approach to understanding complex challenges in the interdisciplinary and intercultural environment of biotechnology.

• They are aware of the benefits of continuous reflection (individually and/or teams) in order to benefit from potential opportunities and to develop and apply resilience and coping strategies against potential threats.

• They are encouraged to be open, tolerant and flexible towards the new and unfamiliar.

• They are introduced to the use of AI in Biotechnology and scientific communication and are encouraged to continuously critically analyze their use of AI as well as the general use of AI.

• They become acquainted with the multifaceted educational biographies and diverse cultural backgrounds of the degree program's lecturers.

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Collaborative learning

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Public speaking and presentation

• Research-based learning

Continuous assessment: Participation

• The students learn to work alone and in varying teams within a group containing colleagues from various international and cultural backgrounds.

• They begin the course by assessing their English language levels (listening, reading, speaking and writing) according to the 'Common European Framework for Reference of Languages'.

• The students undertake a guided self-assessment of their previous project experience working in teams, as well as their (scientific) communication experience and identify those areas that require improvement.

• Students are introduced to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and are encouraged to personally implement it for their future careers.

• They improve - and learn the importance of - their communication of scientific topics and proposals relevant to their field of studies clearly using the appropriate supporting media, and deal with arising questions (individually and in teams) and how to modulate this, depending on which audience they are communicating with (peer, lay, professional etc.).

• They learn how to be objectively critical when assessing their own and their peers' presentation performance, both in a live and in a retrospective situation (video self-assessment and -reflection) taking international professional etiquette into account.

• They discuss scientific/ethical topics, justifying their standpoint, and on occasion take the lead by presiding over these discussions in an international or multicultural group.

• They critically analyze and understand the scientific literature (scientifically and linguistically).

• They critically discuss and reflect on the positive and problematic use of AI in scientific communication and are encouraged to continuously critically analyze its use.

• They learn about the processes of scientific publishing (impact factor, open access ...).

• They form small, highly functioning teams which design and manage a substantial piece of independent scientific/ethical research taking intercultural and competence diversity into account.

• They may design and maintain a webpage. They are always aware of the international and inter- & transcultural importance to their chosen field.

• Guided self-reflection

• Peer-feedback

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Collaborative learning

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

• Public Speaking and Presentation

Continuous assessment: Each task is assessed

• Classes of Pharmaceuticals (biopharmaceuticals and small-molecule drugs)

• Case studies: Clinical development of selected drugs

• Clinical drug development process

• Selected aspects of drug discovery and preclinical development

• Overview clinical study designs, outcomes and inclusion/exclusion criteria

• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): Randomization, Blinding and Placebos

• Epidemiological study designs

• Conduct of clinical trials, data analysis and interpretation

• Ethical aspects, the origins and principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

• Regulatory bodies, international regulations (EMEA, FDA, ICH)

• Phase IV/post-marketing surveillance, life cycle management

• Interfaces: Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance, Marketing and Product Life Cycle Management

• Special chapters: Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), repurposing, special populations

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Blended learning

• Guest lectures

Final exam: Exercises during class, exam

During this course following topics will be discussed:

• monogenetic diseases and modes of inheritance
• methods in genetic diagnostics - from sample to report
• basics in data analysis and data interpretation
• cytogenetics, prenatal diagnostics, tumor genetics, gene therapy
• ethics of medical genetics

The students will learn the basics of medical genetics, underlying molecular mechanisms and will be introduced into the workflow of modern genetic diagnostics. Finally, the new knowledge will be applied to solve cases.

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Flipped classroom

• Problem-based learning

Final exam: Written exam (multiple choice and open questions)

• Fundamental features of genetics and genetic engineering

• Different levels of regulation of gene expression in pro- and eukaryotes

• Transcriptional regulation (transcription in eukaryotes, transcriptional activation, properties of transcription factors, methods for analysis of transcription factors and regulatory regions)

• Posttranscriptional regulation (splicing, transport, stability of mRNA, translational control)

• Effects of chromatin (composition, histone modifications, regulation, epigenetics)

• - Methods for analysis of genetics and gene regulation in vitro and in vivo

Lecture

Final exam: Written exam on the computer (multiple choice)

• RNA Structure: Examines primary to tertiary structures and the role of the 2'-OH group.

• RNA Modifications: Covers post-transcriptional alterations affecting translation and antibiotic resistance.

• Catalytic Capabilities: Focuses on ribozymes and their role in essential reactions like splicing.

• RNA Processing: Includes capping, polyadenylation, RNA editing, and alternative splicing.

• Regulatory Mechanisms: Discusses RNA binding motifs and their roles in RNA metabolism.

• Therapeutic Applications: Explores antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, RNA aptamers, and mRNA vaccines.

• RNA World Hypothesis: Investigates the early stage of life where RNA served as genetic material and catalysts.

Lecture

Final exam: Written exam

• Introduction to Genetic Analysis Methods:
  - Explanation and practical implementation of various genetic analysis techniques.

• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR):
  - Detection of leukemia-associated fusion transcripts.

• Gene Amplification and Hybridization Techniques:
  - Use of immobilized, allele-specific oligonucleotides for mutation detection in the cystic fibrosis gene.

• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR):
  - Identification of BRAF and KRAS mutations in cancer cells.
  - Categorization of patients with poorer prognosis based on these mutations.

• Breast Cancer Clinical Classification:
  - Classification based on the expression of:
  - Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR).
  - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
  - Percentage of Ki67-positive cancer nuclei.

• Immunohistochemistry:
  - Analysis of selected factors.
  - Examination of expression patterns in various molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

• The theoretical basis of each of the analyses conducted in the laboratory is explained in a preceding seminar.
• Students conduct genetic analyses according to detailed reports provided by the lecturers.
• Laboratory results are discussed with lecturers at the end of each unit and are summarized in a report whose structure corresponds to that of a scientific paper.

Continuous assessment: presence, motivation, participation, practical skills (results), written report.

• General RNA Handling Procedures
• Experiment 1: Northern Blot: This experiment investigates the differential expression of the GAL1 gene in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) grown in media containing either glucose or galactose. (glucose/galactose metabolism in yeast, RNA extraction from yeast, denaturing RNA agarose gel, RNA transfer, specific oligonucleotide hybridization, band detection, quantitative PCR)
• Experiment 2: Band Shift - EMSA: This experiment focuses on detecting the interaction between human Y RNA and the La protein using the Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA), also known as a band shift assay. (in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase, RNA purification, RNA folding, native poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis, RNA staining using methylene blue, detection of RNP complexes)
• Experiment 3: RNA Stability: This experiment explores the inherent instability of RNA compared to DNA. (temperature dependence, pH dependence, RNAses)

Laboratory

Continuous assessment: presence, motivation, participation, practical skills (results), written report.

• Fundamental concepts of immunity

• Immunologic tolerance and autoimmunity

• Immunity to microbes

• Transplantation immunology

• Immunity to tumors

• Hypersensitivity disorders

• Allergy

• Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies

• Immunotherapy and immunological methods

• Aging of the immune system

• Active and passive vaccine methodology

Lectures, interactive discussions between students and lecturer. 

Final exam: Multiple choice questions and short assay answers; scoring system

• Principles of General Pathology, including the causes and development of pathological processes and diseases at cellular, tissue, and organism levels.

• Systemic/Special Pathology, including the courses of illness and symptoms, with their respective morphological alterations and clinicopathological findings.

• Systematics and Nomenclature of Diseases

• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies and their application to pathological conditions.

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

Final exam: Written exam

• Cell movement of neoplastic cells

• Duality of cancer cell signaling

• Metastasis

• Molecular mechanisms of reproductive diseases

• Development and function of maternal breast, uterus and placenta

• Stem cells and organoids

• Cell engineering (tissue printing and organoids)

• Hematopoiesis, hematological diseases and their treatment

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

Final exam: Written exam with open questions

• Protein function: Analysis and predictions of protein features, such as conserved domains & protein families, GO terms, transmembrane helixes, cellular sorting signals, glycosylation and working with the associated databases

• Protein structure: Prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structures using different algorithms and comparison of results and visualize 3D structures

• Virtual cloning: Plan cloning experiments, draw plasmid maps, simulate restriction digests and run virtual gels.

• Primer design: learn how to use primer design software and understand issues in primer design

• Introduction to Machine learning and AI algorithms and how to use them

• Lectures with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Individual Project work

Final exam: Final individual project work

• Concepts and approaches in biologicals discovery and s for analytical characterization

• Similarities and differences between biologicals and small molecule drugs

• Selection and engineering of monoclonal antibodies

• Concepts and approaches in analytical characterization of biologicals

• Development of biosimilars

• Various systems and approaches for industrial production of biologicals

• Antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies as new approaches in the field of biologicals

Lecture

Final exam: A number of questions have to be answered that cover the LOs of the course

• Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic based structure optimization

• Structure based Drug Development and Screening Library Design

• Principles of Combinatorial and Parallel Chemistry - Realization of Screening Libraries

• Targeted Drug Development Approaches

• Traditional Drug-Screening Approaches (incl. HTS) and their Limitations

• Fragment Based Screening and Modern Screening Perspectives

• Molecular Descriptors and Structure Pool Refinement

• Natural Product Isolation and Principles

• Principles of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and HRAM-Based Drug Screening

• Target identification & validation

• High Throughput Screening

• Hit to lead and lead optimization

• High Content Screening

• Lecture,

• Self-Study,

• Other: Application and Case Study based learning

Final exam: Written exam, i.a. multiple choice, cloze, term assignment

• What is Intellectual Property and why is it important? There is more than inventions!
• Which forms of protection of intellectual property are available? - trademark, industrial design, copyright, utility model, complementary protection certificate, patent
• What is a patent?
  - effects of a patent
  - what can be patented and what is excluded from patent protection?
  - what are the prerequisites for patent application/protection?
  - How to define an inventor? Rights and obligations of employee inventors
• From application to patent grant
  - structure of a patent application
  - application and granting processes
  - protective reach and duration
  - legal measures
  - fees and costs
  - where to apply for a patent
• Rights of patent owners and legal measures
• International agreements (EP, PCT), important national differences
• Biopatents - legal framework, important decisions
• Freedom to Operate
• Espacenet and other search tools and how to use it for patent and other IP research
• Patent lawyer - the profession
• Fundamentals in copyright
• Fundamentals in industrial design and trademark
• What are Trade Secrets?
• IP-Strategies and decision making
• Rough overview about important agreements- MTAs, CDAs, licensing contracts

Lectures with interactive elements and discussions, actual cases will be discussed in more detail, individual case study and presentation of learnings

Final exam: Written exam

This course is designed to enhance students' communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills through a series of reflective, practical, and diverse activities. Students will engage in various exercises that emphasize the importance of clear communication, peer feedback, and working in culturally diverse teams:

• Students reflect on teamwork experiences and the significance of clear, transparent communication.

• They evaluate their and their peers' personal communication skills, considering the audience and context.

• They collaborate in small international and culturally diverse teams and prepare and deliver research project presentations.

• They design and present scientific posters summarizing research projects.

• They write a comprehensive scientific report as preparation for the master's thesis.

• They gain practical exposure to the dynamics of argumentation and persuasive communication.

• They assess their personal debating capabilities, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

• They analyze the language, behavior, and strategies of experienced debaters.

• They learn examples of effective communication and argumentation practices by debating.

• They assess their personal debating capabilities, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

• They learn to write effectively in a scientific style.

• They rate their proficiency in valuable skills such as report writing, presentations, conflict resolution, problem-solving, negotiation, interview skills, and committee work.

• They gain experience in analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, and presenting persuasive arguments.

• Guided self-reflection

• Peer-feedback

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Collaborative learning

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Public speaking and presentation

• Research-based learning

Continuous assessment: Each task is assessed

Select a use case from companies/startups of the Life Sciences vertical and analyze the following business strategies of the "adopted company":

• Vision, Mission, Objectives

• Overall business strategy

• Product strategy

• Financial strategy

• HR strategy

• Risk management

Use strategy tools to structure the analytical work, e.g.:

• SWOT analyses

• Porter Five Forces Tool

• Business Model Canvas

Present the results as a group:

• 1 interim presentation

• 1 final presentation

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Supervised distance learning

• Project work

Final exam: Presentation of the group work, documentation of the group work either in Word or Powerpoint

• Basic concepts and modalities (viral / non-viral) in gene therapy
• Choosing the appropriate vector for treatment: advantages and disadvantages
• Expression systems for viral vector production
• Challenges in clinical manufacturing of gene therapy products
• Fundamentals of formulation for gene therapy products
• Delivering the gene into patients: Administration routes
• Clinical trials for gene therapy and ethical considerations
• Successes, failures, and hopes
• Regulatory as-pects to consider
• Recent history: Approved therapies
• The future of gene therapy

Lecture with structured exercises

For example:

• Lecture

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Group work

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Flipped classroom

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

• Other methods (please specify)

Final exam: Written exam

• Exploring the Human Genome
• The Evolution of Precision Medicine
• Precision Medicine: A Paradigm Shift from Conventional Therapies
• The Interplay Between Genetics and Precision Medicine
• Precision Medicine in Disease Management
• Innovations in the Development of Precision Medicine
• The Future Landscape of Precision Medicine

Lecture with structured exercises

For example:

• Lecture

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Group work

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Flipped classroom

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

• Other methods (please specify)

Final exam: Written exam

• Presentation of the complex interactions between pathogens and the human host

• Explanation of the molecular, cellular and immunological aspects of the interaction between pathogens and the human host

• Discussion of the strategies developed by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites to colonize, invade, survive, reproduce and spread

• Presentation of the cellular and systemic effects of the host, the host's defense mechanisms and the clinical manifestations of the infectious diseases

• Explanation of diagnostic tests and antimicrobial and antiviral treatment possibilities

• Presentation of the concepts behind the development of novel diagnostic tools, drugs and vaccines for future prevention and therapy of infectious diseases

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Self-study

Final exam: Written exam

• Replication cycle of important virus families

• Pathogenetic mechanisms of important viruses

• Anti-viral strategies

• Importance of viruses in molecular biology and medicine

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Self-study

Final exam: Written exam

• Advanced cell culture

• Cell morphology and identity

• Cell motility

• Cell proliferation

• Apoptosis

• Cell differentiation

• Action of conventional and directed cancer therapeutics

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

Continuous assessment: Written protocol in scientific format

• Application of methods for the manipulation and the analysis of signaling pathways in cell culture, leading to a detailed knowledge of specific pathways.

• Applied methods are:
  - transient transfection in cell culture,
  - reporter constructs with GFP and luciferase,
  - overexpression of activators/repressors (including RNAi),
  - Western analysis of cellular extracts,
  - analysis of phosphorylation,
  - fluorescence microscopy of labeled proteins and
  - pharmacologic manipulation of the pathways.

Practical course with independent performance of the experiments.

Continuous assessment: Entry exam on the computer (multiple choice), evaluation of performance in the lab, protocol

• The course teaches the fundamentals of murine embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture and practical applications.

• Different cultivation possibilities for ESC and the control of the stability of the cultures in the undifferentiated state will be learned (morphological analysis, proliferation analysis, alkaline phosphatase assay).

• Targeted differentiation using the embryoid body (EB) model will be accomplished and experimental investigations will be carried out on how different inhibitors or activators influence differentiation.

• PCR and karyotyping will be used to further characterize the ESCs used in this course.

• Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy will be employed to investigate the stemness characteristics of the cells.

Practical laboratory course, group work, discussion, exercises, presentations from students.

Continuous assessment: Continuous assessment, written protocol and final presentation with discussion

• Important signaling pathways of the cell (e.g. MAP kinase-, GPCR-, Nuclear Hormone Receptor-, NF-kB-, Jak/Stat-, Wnt-, Hedgehog-, Tgfß-, Apoptosis-, PI3K/Akt- and stress pathways)

• Signaling pathways effects on gene expression and other functions of the cell.

• In addition, crosslinks with other signaling pathways are discussed.

• Techniques for the analysis of signaling pathways are also presented.

Lecture

Final exam: Written exam on the computer (multiple choice)

• Stem cell basics

• Introduction to development

• Pluripotency and reprogramming

• Adult stem cells and regeneration

• Stem cells and therapy

• Generation and use of organoids

• Human stem cell-based embryo models

• Ethical considerations of stem cell science

Lecture

Final exam: Written Exam

Students are able to explain

• membrane physiology

• development of action potentials

• electrotonic and saltatory conduction

• synapses

• important transmitters and the resulting pharmacological modulation

• temporal and spatial integration

• pre- and postsynaptic excitation and inhibition

• motor functions of the spinal cord, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and cortex including disorders caused by lesions in these regions

• structure and function of the autonomic nervous system including effects on important organs,

• function of the sensory systems.

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Problem-based learning

Final exam: Written final exam

• Epidemiology, risk factors and prevention of cancer

• DNA damage and genomic stability

• Oncogenes and tumor suppressors

• Tumor virology and cancer models

• Tumor evolution and heterogeneity

• Cancer cell signaling

• Tumor microenvironment - angiogenesis and immunity

• Drug resistance and biomarkers of cancer

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

Final exam: Written exam

• Blood cell types and their roles in biology: erythrocytes, platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils

• Vascular biology overview

• Cells of the vasculature: endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Self-study

• Problem-based learning

• Research-based learning

Final exam: Online Moodle Test - with marks from 1 - 5.

• Fundamental principles behind structural properties of proteins

• Methods to determine molecular structures of proteins and protein-ligand complexes

• Experimental methods to characterize protein-ligand interactions (includes determination of affinities) as well as the molecular interactions that govern binding of ligands to proteins

• Strategies and methods to find and optimize hits in drug discovery and with prerequisites that compounds need to be developable into drugs

• Principles and experimental methods in the area of pharmacokinetics (ADME)

• Application areas and examples of AI in drug discovery

• Lecture

• Individual work

Final exam: Written exam

• Basics of general pharmacology (pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic)

• Prodrug strategy

• Summary of product characteristics (SmPC)

• Kidneys and their function as excretion organ

• Most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of selected human diseases (e.g. background of a disease, mechanism of action, important side effects, drug interactions)

• Introduction to Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Program

• Lecture with structured exercises
• Dialogue and discussion
• Individual work
• Group work
• Supervised distance learning
• Self-study
• Blended learning

Continuous assessment: Partial performance with continuous assessment (e.g., presentations, written work, case studies, exams, multiple-choice tests, reflection reports)

• Explanation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of allergies and other hypersensitivity reactions

• Description of the symptoms, causes and risk factors of allergic diseases

• Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of current diagnostic tests and therapeutic possibilities of allergic diseases

• Presentation of the strategies for improvement of diagnosis and therapies of allergies

• Explanation of the pathomechanisms underlying autoimmune disorders

• Description of the determinants (such as genetic predisposition or environmental factors) that influence the development of autoimmunity

• Discussion of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation and the treatment possibilities of selected autoimmune diseases

• Discussion of similarities and differences between allergies and autoimmune disorders

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Self-study

Final exam: Written exam

Immune System Overview:

• Evolved to protect against pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites).
• Composed of innate and acquired immunity working together.
  

Key Topics:

• Molecular basis and clinical relevance of the immune system in infectious and acute inflammatory diseases.
• The immune system's role in distinguishing between "self" and "foreign".

Immune System Dysfunctions:

• Autoimmune Diseases:
  - Occur when the immune system fails to recognize "self" structures, leading to a lack of tolerance.
  - Includes clinical presentation, diagnostics, and pathogenesis models of common autoimmune diseases.

• Immunodeficiency:
  - Results from inadequate recognition or response to "foreign" structures, leading to insufficient protection and potentially life-threatening infections.
  - Includes discussion on congenital and acquired immune defects.

Additional Focus:

• Clinical relevance of the overlap between immunodeficiency and autoimmune phenomena.

• Lecture with structured exercises

• Group work

• Discussions

Final exam: Written exam

• Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technologies

• Analyzing NGS data using Galaxy and R/Bioconductor* pipelines

• Quality Control of NGS data in Galaxy and R/Bioconductor

• Alignment of reads to genomic references and visualization of aligned reads in a genome browser

• Convert reads into feature-wise counts

• Common Data formats used in Next Generation Sequencing

• Further analysis of resulting gene lists using methods like clustering or GO term enrichment.

• Learn how to spot issues with data during Quality Control and perform corrective actions

* No prior knowledge of R/Bioconductor needed.

• Lectures with structured exercises

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Individual Project work

Final exam: Final individual project work

• basic principles of mass-spectrometry:

• physics of mass-analyzers and ion sources (

• introduction types of mass spectrometers (TOF, sectorial instruments, quadrupole, Triple-Quad, Ion traps, FT ICR - orbitrap) and the respective combinations

• gas-phase fragmentation techniques (Collision induced dissociation CID, ETD)

• MS/MS based analysis and de novo sequencing of peptides

• key figures of merit in mass-spectrometry (Resolution R and mass accuracy)

• mass-spectrometry data interpretation

• mass-spectrometry acquisition methods.

• Omics related examples of mass-spectrometry based workflows in proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and environmental research.

Lecture with structured exercises

Final exam: Written exam

• Knowledge Management: Definitions, R&D focus, human and data perspectives, tools, and practices.

• Innovation Management: From invention to innovation, strategic processes, and implementation.

• Business Plan Development:
  - Vision, market analysis, financials, legal aspects, implementation planning.
  - Four phases: idea, feedback, testing, launch.

• Key Tools: Porter's 5 Forces, SWOT, life-cycle analysis, canvas model, risk analysis.

• Lecture

• Dialogue and discussion

• Group work

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Project work

Final exam: Presentation of the group work, documentation of the group work either in Word or Powerpoint

• Lecture

• Blended learning

• Independent Research: Students independently seek and select a research project, fostering self-directed learning and initiative.

• Mentorship and Supervision: With support from the Master's Thesis Coordinator and direct supervisors, students receive guidance and feedback, which is crucial for their development and project success.

• Project Planning: Students prepare a detailed project plan, including goals, problem definition, and methods, which enhances their planning and organizational skills.

• Peer Presentations: Presenting their project plans to peers helps students develop their communication and presentation skills.

• Group Discussions and Feedback: Engaging in discussions and receiving feedback from peers encourages critical thinking, reflection, and collaborative learning.

Continuous assessment: Hand-ins, feedback, and presentations

• Deepening of theoretical immunological knowledge and practical application to research problems from the field of allergy research

• Working in small teams of 2 to 3 people on a scientific research question

• Finding as a team the best way to answer the research question

• Designing and performing of experiments using state-of-the-art immunological and molecular biological methods such as ELISAs, SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, PCR, microscopy and flow cytometry

• Writing of laboratory report in the format of a scientific publication, in which the background of the research topic is summarized and the experimental work, the results are described and discussed (each student writes a lab report)

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Group work

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

Continuous assessment: Assessment of the design of the experiments; assessment of the performance of the experiments; assessment of the quality of the laboratory report

• Objective: Estimate the toxicological and therapeutic potential of a small molecule drug using cell-based test systems.

• Focus Areas:
  - Analyze the small molecule's activation potential on the heat shock response pathway.
  - Assess possible cytotoxic effects in a concentration-dependent manner.

• Assays and Methods Available:
  - Luciferase reporter assays
  - Western blot
  - qPCR
  - Flow cytometry
  - ELISA
  - General viability assays

• Student Role: Select and apply suitable methods from the provided options.

Practical course with independent performance of the experiments

Continuous assessment: Entry exam on the computer (multiple choice), evaluation of performance in the lab, protocol

• The master's examination is the final examination of the master's program before an examination committee of experts.

• The students present their master's thesis in the form of a lecture.

• The students are questioned about their presentation and they defend the contents and conclusions of their master's thesis.

• They are asked to cross-connect the topic of their Master's thesis to relevant subjects of the degree program.

• The students reflect and discuss current research topics from the main fields of the Master's program with the examination committee of experts.

• Dialogue and discussion

• Individual work

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

Final exam: For the presentation of the master's thesis up to 30 points are awarded by the examination committee. Up to 35 points are awarded for the subsequent discussion on the presentation. Up to 35 points are also awarded for the discussion of current research topics from the main areas of the master's program. The sum of these points gives the overall grade for the master's examination.

• The students choose a (usually 6 to 9 month) research project based on their own interests during which they can apply the knowledge and skills that they gained during the first 3 semesters of the Master's Degree "Molecular Biotechnology". The project investigates a specific scientific question or problem relating to the content of the degree program.

• The student submits a project proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes to the Head of the Degree Program and can begin the project after approval.

• The student performs laboratory experiments, computational studies etc. to gather data.

• The student ensures that all research is conducted ethically, with appropriate approvals.

• The student analyzes the collected data using appropriate tools and interprets the results in the context of the research question and existing literature.

• The student writes their master's thesis including the research question, objectives, and significance of the project, the experimental design, materials, and procedures used, the observations of the study, and appropriate, scientific interpretation and discussion of the results and their implications and relates these to existing research and finally a conclusion. The thesis must comprehensively reference and cite all sources and literature reviewed in an appropriate manner and include any AI-use in its preparation.

• Lecture

• Individual work

• Supervised distance learning

• Self-study

• Blended learning

• Problem-based learning

• Project work

• Research-based learning

Final exam: Assessment by supervisor and assessor (lecturer in the Molecular Biotechnology Section) using a standardized questionnaire. In the case of 2 different grades, a third assessor writes an "Adjudication Assessment" which is final.