Prerequisites
Advanced Cell Biology 01:146:470 and 01:119:117 or 01:119:102, or permission of the instructor.
Course Description
Course objective: To provide participants with hands-on experience in selected techniques of molecular cell biology, with special emphasis on experimental design and communication skills.
The lab will have three modules:
- Cell biology of prokaryotes
- Cell biology of eukaryotes
- Guided research projects
The jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and variants will be used as a unifying theme. Tentative schedules are listed below.
Module 1: Bacterial response to environment
- Week 1: Introduction to lab safety and to GFP, culture of bacteria, transformation of bacteria with GFP plasmids
- Week 2: Isolation of plasmid DNA, restriction digest and electrophoretic analysis of DNA
- Week 3: Fluorescence microscopy of GFP-tagged bacteria, response of bacteria to environmental stimuli
- Week 4: Oral and written presentation of data from module 1
Module 2: Diversity of mammalian cell types
- Week 1: Introduction to mammalian cell culture, DNA transfection of mammalian cells with organelle-targeted GFP plasmids
- Week 2: Demonstration of fluorescence activated cell sorting, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of GFP
- Week 3: Fractionation of organelles via the virtual centrifugation lab, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting of GFP
- Week 4: Oral and written presentation of data from module 2
Module 3: Cellular dynamics
- Week 1: Internet tools for molecular cell biology
- Week 2: Polymerase chain reaction, research project design, selection and consultation with mentors
- Weeks 3-5: Project experiments (students may need to spend additional time in the lab depending on the type of experiment to be performed)
- Week 6: Oral and written presentation of data from module 3
Course URL
Canvas
Course Satisfies Learning Goals
Basic experimental techniques; integration and organization of data; scientific reasoning and communication
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Take-home assignments; lab procedure write-ups; oral presentations
Course Materials
TBA
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please use the following link to add your name to the wait list: Wait List Sign Up for Spring 2023 Courses . If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Life Sciences - Office of Undergraduate Instruction at 848-445-2075 or visit our office at Nelson Biological Laboratories B112, Busch Campus.
Faculty
Course meets Tu & Th 1-4 PM, Room Nelson B417
Dunne Fong
B424 Nelson
(848) 445 5268
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
