Course Description
Applied aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology in various fields, with emphasis on the use of recombinant DNA methods and protein engineering.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
A term paper is required.
Athena Title
Biotechnology
Prerequisite
(BCMB 3100 or BCMB 3100E or BCMB 4010/6010) and GENE 3200-3200D
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The focus of the course is aimed at guiding students to be able to understand details of biotechnology literature, including web resources. Student performance will be assessed primarily by written examinations (usually three during the course of the semester). These exams are usually take-home and allow students to utilize multiple sources to gather information. Questions are essay-type and we expect students to spend about 2 hours on each question, which generally number 4 to 5 per exam. Toward the end of the semester, the class is broken up randomly into around 12 teams. Briefly, each team can claim as proprietary intellectual property any published intellectual property or patent that appeared in the literature since 2004. Each team will present a document consisting of Executive Summary, very basic Business Plan, and Research and Development Plan. The team will also give a 20 minute class presentation with visual aids to resemble an actual presentation to potential investors including scientists or a partner scientific company, and all members of the team must present to the class. Students hearing the presentation will critique and score each presentation, along with the faculty organizers. Faculty will provide assistance in choosing a topic and directing students to appropriate resources, including other University faculty. Learning outcomes include the ability to communicate effectively through speech and writing, critical thinking and computer literacy. Student evaluations will be obtained at the end of the semester in accordance with university and department policy.
Topical Outline
Introduction to Biotechnology Biotech stock watch assignment; Overview of Biotechnology companies Technologies of DNA Sequencing, Genomics, Proteomics Survey of organisms and expression systems for biotech applications Natural Product Discovery Bioforensics and genetic marker screening Metabolic engineering Genetic engineering of plants Bioremediation; the story of Apgen Ethical issues in plant biotechnology Discovery/development of biologically active compounds Intellectual Property and Biotechnology Bt plants and the story of InsectiGen Biomedical Applications of Biotechnology Cloning and genetic engineering of animals; Intro to stem cells New cancer therapeutics from biotechnology Biomedical Applications of Biotechnology II: Cancer biotechnology Stem Cell Biotechnology Fighting global diseases using biotechnology The story of Avigenics: Science and Business Starting a medical biotech company, Abeome The story of Immune Control, Inc. The story of Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.
Syllabus