15.01.2009
New exchange programme for systems biologists

The Universität Heidelberg has launched a new exchange programme for its systems biology students with the Universities of Amsterdam, Gothenburg, Luxemburg and Manchester. Students working towards a master’s degree in molecular biosciences at Heidelberg recently acquired the option of electing to specialise in systems biology during their courses. They are now able to complement their degree studies at Heidelberg with a semester of study at one of the four other centres of systems biology in Europe. In return, students from Amsterdam, Gothenburg, Luxemburg and Manchester will come to Heidelberg for a semester. 

Systems biology is one of the fastest growing fields of study in the biosciences. The discipline not only focuses on the characteristics of individual proteins or genes, but also concentrates on the emergent properties of biological networks. Heidelberg is one of Europe’s leading centres of systems biology and the location of a series of major projects which deal primarily with issues of medical relevance. In its new "Bioquant" research centre, the University aims to make know-how from the realms of biophysics, biochemistry and scientific computations more easily available for biological and medical use than has previously been the case. The building is also used by researchers with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and other institutions.

The coordinators of Heidelberg´s systems biology programme, Prof. Ursula Kummer and lecturer Ursula Klingmüller concur: "The programme offers the opportunity of getting to know something about other research fields, such as the systems biology of microorganisms; apart from that, there is a unique chance of acquiring international experience."

www.sysbio.uni-hd.de/