Syllabus – Bio 437 – Molecular Biology

Fall 2005

 

Instructor: Jeffrey D. Newman

Room: Heim 107

Phone: 570-321-4386

email: newman@lycoming.edu

office hours: : T 2:00-3:00 PM

W 3:30-4:30 PM

“Lecture” meets MWF 2:00 – 3:05 in Heim 106

Lab meets Thurs 1:00-3:50 in Heim 106

Course web page: http://www.lycoming.edu/~newman/courses/bio43704

 

 

Catalog Description of Course: An in-depth analysis of fundamental cellular information flow processes with particular emphasis on how these processes have been harnessed in the laboratory, resulting in technologies such as DNA cloning and sequencing, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), genetic testing, gene therapy, genetic engineering, DNA forensics, and construction of gene libraries. Two hours of lecture, a one-hour lab and a three-hour lab per week. Prerequisites: BIO 110-111 and one semester of organic chemistry.

 

Text: Lodish et al.  Molecular Cell Biology  5th edition, 2004

 

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments:

 

                                    2 exams (mid-term, final)                           2 x 150 pts = 300 pts

                                    Journal article presentation                                                 50 pts

                                    Integrated Informatics Project

-nucleic acid and protein sequence analysis       50 pts

-protein structure analysis                                        50 pts

-literature review                                                        50 pts

                                    2 lab reports                                                  2 x 100 pts =  200 pts

(site directed mutagenesis, gene expression analysis)

                                    Total possible                                                                     700 pts

 

 

B+ = 87.5 - 89.9%

C+ = 77.5 - 79.9%

D+ = 67.5 - 69.9%

 

A = 92.5 – 100%

B = 82.5 – 87.4%

C = 72.5 – 77.4%

D = 62.5 – 67.4%

F= below 60%

A- = 90.0 – 92.4%

B- = 80.0 – 92.4%

C- = 70.0 – 72.4%

D- = 60.0 – 62.4%

 

 

 


Course Schedule

 


 

Lecture Topics (chapter)

Lab Activities

Week 1
1/12 – 1/16

Introduction, Essential Chemistry (1,2)

GCAT preliminary assessment

Week 2

1/19 – 1/23

Protein Structure/Function (3)

Protein structure analysis with Protein Explorer (computer lab)

Week 3

1/26 – 1/30

Basic Molecular Genetics (4)

Use of databases, Nucleic acid and protein sequence analysis (computer lab)

Week 4

2/2 – 2/6

Molecular Genetic Techniques and Genomics (9)

Begin Integrated Informatics Project (computer lab)

F – GFP Site directed mutagenesis lab overview – 1st PCR, prepare gel

Week 5

2/9 – 2/13

Molecular Genetic Techniques and Genomics (9)

2/13 IIP Annotated bibliography due

R – Gel purify fragments, set up 2nd  PCR, new gel, check phenotype

F – Check 2nd PCR product on gel, spin-column purify fragment, Set up restriction digest.

Week 6

2/16 – 2/20

Gene & Chromosome Structure (10)

R – Prep competent cells, Ligation, Transformation.

F – Pick colonies, inoc for minipreps

Week 7

2/23 – 2/27

Gene & Chromosome Structure (10) 

2/25 Midterm  Exam

R – Minipreps, set up gel, restriction digest. check phenotypes

RF – Check RE digest on gel, discuss lab report

Week 8

3/8 – 3/12

Regulation of Transcription (11) 3/12 IIP Sequence Analysis  Due

R - discuss microarray experiment, grow yeast under different conditions.

F – Isolate yeast, store in RNAlater

Week 9

3/15 – 3/19

Regulation of Transcription (11)

3/19 Site-directed mutagenesis lab report due

R – Isolate RNA from yeast, run, stain RNA gel

F – Northern Transfer

Week 10

3/22 – 3/26

RNA Processing (12)

3/26 IIP Structure analysis due

W – Set up RT-PCR, gel

R – Examine RT-PCR products, Prepare probes for Northern Blot, Microarray

F – Hybridize probe against blot

Week 11

3/29 – 4/2

RNA Processing (12)

4/2 IIP Text Due

W – Hybridize cDNA to microarray.

R – Northern detection. Wash microarray, send for scanning

Week 12

4/5 – 4/9

Developmental Genetics (15)

R – Journal Article Presentations

Week 13

4/12 – 4/16

The Cell Cycle (21)

R, F – Analyze microarray data (computer lab) Discuss Lab report

Week 14

4/19 – 4/23

Cancer (23)

4/23 Gene Expression Lab Report Due

R-GCAT Assessment, Work on lab report or poster as group