Gene Discovery Laboratory  895                 .5credit Semester 1,2   

Sr. Mary Jane Paolella                          2008-2009

 

Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and techniques involved in modern biomedical science as applied to the discovery and analysis of human genes.  The course emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience involving basic molecular biology techniques in a problem-solving format.

 

Text:  Binder prepared by instructor for this class.

 

 

Objectives:

Develop a pedigree and phenotype/genotype analysis which will comprise a medical/genetic

diagnosis of a genetic illness as a working hypothesis.

Review the Central Dogma and compare to in vitro DNA synthesis /PCR

Incorporate bioinformatics lessons for DNA analysis

Master the skill of micropipetting for running reactions and gel electrophoresis

Research and analyze the differences between the various forms of genetic diseases

Integrate DNA sequencing techniques into the final laboratory activities

 

Requirements: Students will need a graphing lab notebook to collect data.  Lab reports and worksheets are to be kept in a folder.  All lab reports will be completed in Vee Mapping (or alternative) format complete with concept map and flow chart, typed on the computer.

 

Attendance: If a student is absent from class and misses a test, she must be prepared to take the test on the day she returns.  Extended illness make-up work is scheduled with the instructor. Late homework will lose one letter grade per day. Students who are absent from class are expected to email the instructor if the work is not listed on the website.

 

Grading policy:           tests: 40%        quizzes:  20%     HW: 10%      Labs: 30%

 

Course Outline:         

Basics of Biotechnology                                                           

Laboratory Safety Regulations                         

Recording data: Lab Notebook                        

Use of Equipment: micropipettes, gel boxes, PCR machine, centrifuge,

 photodocumentation system

Solutions, Autoclaving, tip preparation              

Principles of Micropipetting

Principles of Gel Electrophoresis                                  

 

Introduction to Class Problem

            Use of NCBI Website: OMIM

            Analysis of Inheritance Pattern                                                             

Construction of Human Pedigree: Diagnosis of the Genetic Disease and

            Hypothesis Formation                                     

 

DNA, and Replication and the Central Dogma

            Use of the NCBI Website: Nucleotide searches

            Introduction to the Genome                                          

DNA Synthesis in vitro: PCR                                                  

Amplification of DNA by PCR             

DNA Analysis: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis                

 

RNA and Transcription

Proteins and Translation                                                           

 

Genomic vs. Plasmid DNA

Restriction Enzymes                                                     

Recombinant DNA: Paper Plasmid Activity

Use of Webcutter and Nebcutter

Restriction Enzyme Digest Application for Class Problem

Pedigree analysis/correction/reconstruction

                                                           

DNA Sequencing and Analysis                                    

            Sanger dideoxy sequencing                                          

Use of the Automated Sequencer for Cycle Sequencing            

            Use of the NCBI Website: BLAST analysis

 

Microarray technology

            Case study

            Workheets

            Analysis

            Lab