S5066 Biochemistry and our Changing Climate

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
one-day workshop. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Michaela Fajkusová (assistant)
doc. Mgr. Jan Havliš, Dr. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Nikola Kostlánová, Ph.D.
Central European Institute of Technology
Contact Person: RNDr. Michaela Fajkusová
Supplier department: Central European Institute of Technology
Prerequisites
Participants are expected to have a background in biochemistry. The workshop is designed for advanced Master’s students (typically in their final year) and PhD candidates.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The course is led by Professor Karla Neugebauer from Yale University — a distinguished scientist and leading expert in RNA biology and molecular biophysics. The course will feature a highly innovative, interactive, and eye-opening teaching approach that engages participants in exploring how climate change acts at the molecular level.
Climate change is impacting how cells and organisms grow and reproduce. Imagine the ocean spiking a fever: cold-blooded organisms of all shapes, sizes and complexities struggle to survive when water temperatures go up 2-4 degrees. Some organisms adapt to extremes, while others cannot. Predicted and observed changes in temperature, pH and salt concentration do and will affect many parameters of the living world, from the kinetics of chemical reactions and cellular signaling pathways to the accumulation of unforeseen chemicals in the environment, the appearance and dispersal of new diseases, and the development of new foods. In this course, we will approach climate change from the molecular point of view, identifying how cells and organisms – from microbes to plants and animals – respond to changing environmental conditions. To embrace the concept of “one health” for all life on the planet, this course will leverage biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biophysics and genetics to develop an understanding of the impact of climate change on the living world. We will consider the foundational knowledge that biochemistry can bring to the table as we meet the challenge of climate change.
Learning outcomes
Students will learn to apply biochemical thinking to climate issues.
Syllabus
  • The course will be held in the CEITEC atrium (building E35) on 10 November 2025.
  • Program:
  • 9:00 – 10:50 Block 1 (Lecture and Journal Club) How is biochemistry a climate issue?
  • Focal points: coral bleaching; the forest, its symbionts, and fire
  • 11:10 – 13:00 Block 2 (Lecture and Journal Club) Biochemistry and the architecture of the future
  • Focal points: use of natural materials for buildings that sequester carbon; bio-engineering renewable materials
  • 13:30 – 16:30 Block 3 (Lecture and World Café) Synthetic biology solutions to the Anthropocene
  • Focal points: alternative foods; engineering carbon drawdown
Teaching methods
lecture, discussion, journal-club, brainstorming
Assessment methods
active participation
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught only once.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: one-day workshop.
Teacher's information
https://www.ceitec.cz/biochemistry-and-our-changing-climate/a5413
Registration is required for this course (workshop) via the following website: https://www.ceitec.cz/biochemistry-and-our-changing-climate/a5413. The registration deadline is 3 November, and the number of participants is limited. Only participants who register through the website will be able to attend and complete the course.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2025/S5066