Course Description
Cell biology research techniques in cell cycle and cell differentiation, cell adhesion, motility, molecular transport, and cell metabolism. Cell culture, cell fractionation, fluorescence and laser-confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing.
Athena Title
Lab in Cellular and Devel Biol
Prerequisite
(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107H or BIOL 1107E) and CHEM 1212
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students are expected to gain experience with modern techniques employed to address research in cell, developmental, and molecular biology. Current techniques that are taught include: DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis; in situ hybridization; in vitro reconstitution of cilia movement; tissue culture; immunofluorescence; western blot analysis; and solution calculation/preparation. In addition to exposure to these methods, students will learn how to collect scientific data, critically analyze the data, and write scientific reports that clearly communicate the findings and explain how the findings support specific conclusions. Basic information about each area of inquiry is provided and students are expected to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the technical approaches used and a basic understanding of the biological systems studied.
Topical Outline
The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary. 1. Introduction, microscopy, cell counting (5) 2. Cell fractionation - isolation of nuclei-I 3. Cell fractionation - isolation of nuclei II (10) 4. Organelle assembly - cilia regeneration I 5. Organelle assembly - cilia regeneration II (10) 6. Reactivation of cell motility in vitro. Isolation of cilia 7. Reactivation of cell motility in vitro. Electron Microscopy (10) Quiz 2 (20) 8. Cloning expression constructs, PCR 9. DNA miniprep 10. Plasmid Purification 11. Transfection of S2 cells 12. Microscopic observation of transfected cells (30) Quiz 1 (20) 13. Genome organization M-13 phage titration 14. Isolation of single stranded DNA 15. DNA sequencing 16. DNA sequencing II 17. Sequence analysis-I 18. Sequence analysis II (30) Quiz 3 (20) 19. Tissue-specific gene expression Collection and fixation of Drosophila embryos 20. Whole mount embryo in situ hybridization 21. Immunohistochemistry-I 22. Immunohistochemistry-II deadline for submission of proposals for independent projects 23. Preparation and mounting of slides 24. Microscopic analysis of slides (30) Quiz 4 (20) 25. Independent projects 26. Independent projects 27. Independent projects 28. Independent projects Final Presentation (20)