Genetics and Cell Biology

Full course description

Cells are the building blocks of life on earth, and all organisms consist of at least one cell. In fact, most organisms on our planet (i.e. bacteria) only consist of a single cell. Other organisms such as plants and animals consist of a wide variety of cells, with complex inner workings depending on their location within the organism. The human body, for instance, consists of trillions of cells and hundreds of different types of cells. These cells perform all the functions of the body and thus form the basis of life. In this course, the most important cell biological and cell physiological principles will be discussed.

In each living cell, a network of more than a thousand different chemical reactions is responsible for generating energy and putting together the building blocks for a new cell. When we think of these cells as little factories, the DNA in the cell forms the blueprint of how the factory should be designed and run. These instructions embedded in the genetic code set in motion a complex machinery of countless proteins that function as cogwheels in this “gigantic” machine, which we call the cell. This genetic code not only instructs the cell what to do, but when considered from a broader perspective, also passes on hereditary traits when new cells are formed.

Genetics is the biological science that studies heredity, and its insights – combined with in depth knowledge of cell biology – are very valuable to circular engineers. Currently, different production processes in modern (circular) industries make use of organisms and their specific properties. Bioreactors in chemical processes, for instance, allow microorganisms – mostly bacteria, yeasts or fungi – to thrive and produce useful substances. The production of sufficient, safe and healthy plant foods increasingly relies on high-tech crop breeding methods, such as genetically modifying the traits of seeds. This course is a prerequisite for studying the Circular Engineering concentration Sustainable Biotechnology.