Genetic Circuits in Yeasts and Fungi
Building sensors, switches and logic inside fungal cells, from yeast toolkits to the harder case of filamentous species.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Genetic Circuits in Yeasts and Fungi
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course teaches how to build genetic circuits inside fungal cells. You will treat gene regulation as a design medium, construct inducible systems and biosensors, and study classic circuit motifs such as toggle switches, oscillators and logic gates. The course uses yeast toolkits and standards as a reference point, then tackles the harder problem of porting circuits to filamentous fungi, and finishes with modelling and characterisation.
Genetic circuits in yeast are well established, but in filamentous fungi they remain an emerging research area, complicated by multinucleate hyphae, slower growth and fewer standard parts. The course is clear about these challenges and shows how researchers are addressing them. It suits synthetic biologists and graduate students who want practical design skills. It is taught as design and modelling; laboratory work requires an authorised facility. In the final project you design and model a genetic circuit for a fungal host, presenting the circuit diagram, parts list, a simple mathematical model and a characterisation plan.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as synthetic biology, biotechnology R&D, biosensing, academic research.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Building sensors, switches and logic inside fungal cells, from yeast toolkits to the harder case of filamentous species.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Gene regulation as a design medium; Inducible systems and biosensors.
- Put them into practice: Toggle switches, oscillators and logic; Yeast toolkits and standards.
- Apply everything to a real case: Porting circuits to filamentous fungi; Modelling and characterising circuits.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Design regulatory logic using synthetic transcription factors.
- Build inducible systems and biosensors on paper for fungal hosts.
- Explain how switches, oscillators and logic gates work in cells.
- Identify challenges in porting yeast circuits to filamentous fungi.
- Model a simple genetic circuit and plan its characterisation.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Synthetic biologists and graduate students.
4.2Entry requirements
Molecular biology fundamentals are required; basic mathematics for simple models is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in synthetic biology
- Graduate researcher in genetic circuit design
- Biosensor developer in biotechnology
- Computational biology support in a design team
- Science communicator on synthetic biology
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Gene regulation as a design medium | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Inducible systems and biosensors | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Toggle switches, oscillators and logic | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Yeast toolkits and standards | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Porting circuits to filamentous fungi | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Modelling and characterising circuits | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Transcriptional regulation in fungi
- Synthetic transcription factors
- Designing regulatory logic
- Chemically inducible promoters
- Light-inducible systems
- Building a fungal biosensor
- Toggle switch design
- Oscillator motifs
- AND, OR and NOT gates in cells
- Modular cloning toolkits for yeast
- Part standards and registries
- Measurement standards
- Challenges of multinucleate hyphae
- Adapting parts for filamentous hosts
- Published filamentous circuits
- Ordinary differential equation models
- Fluorescence-based characterisation
- Comparing model and data
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A modelled genetic circuit design for a fungal host with parts list and characterisation plan.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, design and modelling exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Computing school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Genetic Circuits in Yeasts and Fungi?
Molecular biology fundamentals are required; basic mathematics for simple models is helpful.
How is Genetic Circuits in Yeasts and Fungi taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, design and modelling exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A modelled genetic circuit design for a fungal host with parts list and characterisation plan.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Genetic Circuits in Yeasts and Fungi?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).