About this course
In our aging society, more and more people suffer from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Decades of research have focused on mouse models, but all drug candidates that have successfully treated AD in mice have failed in human clinical trials. In order to address these pressing needs, human models such as neurons, astrocytes, and microglia derived from induced pluripotent stem cells are the key. In combination with gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 these cellular models provide insights into early disease development and progression in the species we need to investigate: humans.
Course Note: Reading materials regarding important molecular biology and/or genetics concepts needed for the course will be available before semester start so students can consult or study them if in doubt. Additionally, students will have the needed supervision for being able to perform the techniques.
Syllabus
Pre-requisites
One year of biology, one year of chemistry, and one course with a lab component, all at university level.
Faculty
Kristine Freude
FacultyPhD at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and Free University, Berlin, Germany in Human Genetics (2005). Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UC Irvine, CA, USA (2005-2011) Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2014) University Copenhagen. MSc at Robert Koch Institute and Free University, Berlin, Germany, in 2001 working with Mycobacteria. Assistant Professor (2014-2015) University Copenhagen. Associate Professor (2015-2022) University Copenhagen. Professor (University of Copenhagen, 2022-present). With DIS since 2016.