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 1107E or BIOL 2107H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will gain experience with modern techniques employed to address research in cell, developmental, and molecular biology.
Students will learn DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis; in situ hybridization; in vitro reconstitution of cilia movement; tissue culture; immunofluorescence; western blot analysis; and solution calculation/preparation.
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.
Students will obtain a mechanistic understanding of the technical approaches used and a basic understanding of the biological systems studied.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction, microscopy, cell counting
2. Cell fractionation - isolation of nuclei I
3. Cell fractionation - isolation of nuclei II
4. Organelle assembly - cilia regeneration I
5. Organelle assembly - cilia regeneration II
6. Reactivation of cell motility in vitro. Isolation of cilia
7. Reactivation of cell motility in vitro. Electron Microscopy
8. Cloning expression constructs, PCR
9. DNA miniprep
10. Plasmid purification
11. Transfection of S2 cells
12. Microscopic observation of transfected cells
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
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
