Objectives: The intent of this course is to examine the processes of living cells at the molecular level, with particular attention to the structure of the genetic material and the way its information is accessed. For a fast-moving area of science like molecular biology, no one ever reaches the end of this subject and knows all there is to know about it. You should have the basic tools, however, to continue learning about living organisms at this most fundamental level of structure and function.

Prerequisites: Genetics (Biol 250) and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (Chem 200) OR Organic Chemistry I (Chem 201)

Credit Value: 3

Contact Time: Two 50 minute lectures and one 3 hour laboratory per week.

Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course the studenst should:

• be familiar in some detail with the structures of the macromolecules of cells, particularly proteins and nucleic acids
• be familiar with the processes for maintenance and expression of the genetic information of the cell, and understand the basic mechanisms for reegulation of gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• be able to apply the above to some questions of current interest in the field of molecular biology
• have developed a detailed understanding of the structures built from these macromolecules, particularly those associated with the genetic apparatus such as chromosomes and ribosomes
• be familiar with the use of computers and the internet, a growing resource for molecular biologists
• be familiar with the fundamental techniwues of molecular genetics: restriction digests of DNA, agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA, Southern blotting and hybridization and gene cloning
• be able to apply techniques to the analysis of DNA's of several sorts, and in gene cloning experiments with phage DNA

Assessment:

• Term tests
• Problem sets
• Laboratory report
• Final examination
  
• NOTE: Assessment format may vary between instructors.

Lecture Schedule:

• Structure of macromolecules, with particular attention to proteins and nucleic acids
• DNA replication, repair and recombination
• Chromosome structure
• Molecular anatomy of eukaryotic genomes
• Protein synthesis (translation)
• RNA synthesis (transcription) and gene regulation in prokaryotes, including lambda phage
• Transcription, RNA processing and gene regulation in eukaryotes
• Genes in development (Drosophila, mostly)
• Oncogenes and cancer

Laboratory Schedule:

• Restriction digests of lambda DNA (#302)
• Plasmid DNA structure (#303)
• Restriction mapping of a plasmid (from Edvotek, Inc.)*
• Nucleosome structure of chromatin (#306)
• Polymerase chain reaction on human DNA (adapted from Biotechnology Training Program, Inc.)
• Plant molecular biology, part 1
• Plant molecular biology, part 2; Genetic engineering, part 1
• Plant molecular biology, part 3; Genetic engineering, part 2
• Plant molecular biology, part 4; Genetic engineering, part 3a (minipreps)
• Plant molecular biology, part 5; Genetic engineering, part 3b modified - digests and gels
• Genetic engineering*, part 4 modified (PCR, blot gels)
• Genetic engineering*, part 5 modified (finish PCR, hybridize blots)
• Genetic engineering*, part 6 modified (finish blots)
  
• NOTE: Some experiments require that someone come in the following day to wash a filter, change a buffer, etc. It's generally less than an hour's worth of things to do. One or two people are enough, and we can take turns, or whatever.