Course detail

Systems Biology

FEKT-MPA-SYSAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course is oriented towards acquiring knowledge about the methods of systems biology, inferring models of cellular organisms and possibilities of their use. It focuses on the study of computational methods for describing the behavior of living organisms at the molecular level, usable in cell biology, biochemistry and biotechnology.
The studied models are represented by extensive network graphs. Emphasis is placed on the methods for analyzing these models, using both static and dynamic analyses. From dynamic analyses, the focus is on both quantitative analysis using ODE models and qualitative analysis using Boolean models. The concept of hierarchy of functional layers in the cell is followed, presenting all layers from gene regulatory networks, through signaling pathways to metabolic networks. These models are illustrated on systems of specific, mainly unicellular, organisms.


Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of biology (especially the description of the cell, the central dogma of molecular biology) and mathematics (especially differential equations, probability distributions of random variables, combinatorics) is required.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Criteria for obtaining credit:

- to obtain at least 20 points in total from all scoring activities of the semester
- to complete at least 7 out of 8 continuous scoring activities, i.e., reports of computer exercises) (max. 16 points)
- to complete and defend a project (max. 24 points)

Exercises are obligatory, one absence is allowed. Other absences are only possible for medical reasons, immediately excused (by a doctor's certificate). Compensation for uncompleted exercise is possible in the last week of semester. Only students with a credit can take the final oral exam.

To successfully complete the course, it is necessary to obtain at least 30 points from the final exam. The final score is determined from the points obtained during the semester (max. 40 points) and the final exam (max. 60 points).

 

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic orientation in the use of computer models in cell biology and how to use them and master the methods of model analysis for systems biology.
The graduate of the course is able to:
- mathematically describe the main components of gene expression
- mathematically describe the main components of signaling pathways
- analyze network graphs using network motifs
- list the main network motifs of transcriptional networks and signaling pathways
- explain the function of the main network motifs in transcriptional networks and signaling pathways
- describe experimental methods in systems biology and the main model organisms
- infer a model and estimate its parameters from experimental data
- use gene ontology for functional annotation

 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ALON, Uri. An introduction to systems biology: design principles of biological circuits. Second edition. CRC Press, 2019. ISBN 978-1439837177. (EN)
KLIPP, Edda, Wolfram LIEBERMEISTER, Christoph WIERLING a Axel KOWALD. Systems biology: a textbook. 2nd edition. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2016. ISBN 978-3-527-33636-4. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-BTB Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme MPA-BTB Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NHPC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVER , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NIDE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISY , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NBIO , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSEN , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVIZ , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NGRI , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NADE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISD , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAT , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSEC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NNET , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAL , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NCPS , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme MPCN-BTB Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme MPCN-BIO Master's

    specialization MPC-BIO_TECH , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. An Introduction to Systems Biology
2. Laboratory Techniques
3. Model Organisms, Biological Networks and Pathways
4. Basics of Dynamic Analysis of Continuous Models
5. Enzyme Kinetics
6. Transcriptional Regulation
7. Prediction of Network Motifs, Autoregulation Motif
8. Network Motif FFL
9. Other Network Motifs
10. Gene Regulatory Network Inference
11. Parameter Estimation
12. Gene Ontology
13. Project Presentation

 

Exercise in computer lab

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. An Introduction to Systems Biology
2. Databases for Systems Biology
3. Graph Theory, Data Formats, Cytoscape
4. Dynamic analysis (Copasi)
5. Enzyme Kinetics, Michaelis-Menten
6. Transcriptional Regulation
7. Prediction of Network Motifs
8. Static and Dynamic Analysis of FFL Motif
9. Cell Collective I, project assignments
10. Cell Collective II, project briefing and consultation
11. Cell Collective III, project briefing and consultation
12. Cell Collective IV, project briefing and consultation
13. Consultations, compensation for missed exercises

Project

40 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Work on a group project (1-3 member groups).

 

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

40 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Final preparation for the oral exam from the provided study materials (lecture and exercise presentations), your own notes and reports of computer exercises, or from basic literature.