Universität Wien

300080 VO Symbiosis concepts and model systems (Part 2) (2026S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Moodle
Fr 20.03. 09:45-11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Please see Moodle for topic/lecturer schedule

  • Friday 06.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 13.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 27.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 17.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 24.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 08.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 15.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 22.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 29.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 05.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
  • Friday 12.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Symbiosis is one of the driving forces in evolution. The eukaryotic cell and thus all plants, animals and fungi arose from a symbiosis between ancient prokaryotes and today, microbial symbioses dominate our planet.

This lecture series focuses on symbiotic associations between microbes and protists, plants, and animals, including humans. Introductory lectures present key concepts of symbiosis. Lectures on selected model systems illustrate the importance of symbiosis for virtually all life forms. They discuss ecological and evolutionary forces driving symbiotic associations at the molecular level. Topics of introductory lectures include definitions of symbiosis and terminology, diversity of microbial symbioses and their habitats, the eukaryotic cell and endosymbiosis theory, transmission processes, host immune response to microbial symbionts, genome evolution and lateral gene transfer, as well as current evolutionary and game theory concepts of interspecies cooperation.

Assessment and permitted materials

The open book exam takes place in presence at the UBB.
Duration of the exam: 1,5 h
It is composed by 4 essay-like questions (one per lecturer). Each answer it is graded by the respective lecturer (1-5 scale) and the final grade is the average of the 4 grades.
Please note that at least 2 questions must be graded >5 in order to pass.
Permitted material: personal notes and printout of uploaded material. Electronic media are NOT permitted.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Participants get familiar with our current understanding of symbiotic associations. They have an overview of the molecular mechanisms shared by many symbiotic systems and possess in-depth knowledge of the presented model systems, including their ecology and evolution.

Examination topics

Content of lectures (see Moodle).

Reading list

Selected literature is available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

MBO 7, MEC-9, MES5, MMEI II-2.2, MMEI III, MMIC 4, MMIC 5, UF MA BU 01, UF MA BU 04

Last modified: We 11.03.2026 11:27