BIOL 351L Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory

BIOL 351L Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory
Spring 2009
Dan Caprioglio, Ph.D. Office LS244
Office Hrs. M 11-12 and 1-2 (in LS214), W 6-7pm, Th 11-12, and F 9-10 Telephone 549-2027
E-Mail: dan.caprioglio@colostate-pueblo.edu

Website

http://csm.colostate-pueblo.edu/biology/dcaprio/351L.html

Optional Textbook

At the Bench:A Laboratory Navigator by Kathy Barker (ISBN # 0-87969-523-4)

Objectives:

Students after completion of this course, students should:

Understand and apply basic molecular biology laboratory techniques including:
- Solution Preparation
- Media Preparation
- Biomolecule purification
  - DNA
  - Protein
- Maintaining a Research Notebook
- Micropipetting
- Gel Electrophoresis
- Centrifugations
- Laboratory Safety
- Spectrophotometry
Be able to analyze data including:
- Basic DNA Sequence Analysis
- Basic Protein Sequence Analysis and Structural
- Enzyme Activity Analysis
Be able to disseminate results both written and oral

Tenative Schedule of Laboratories:

Lab Session	Lab Work/Activities
January 13	Introduction Research Notebook and Basic Lab Technique Read through Chapter 1 pp 3-18
January 15	Project #1- Basic Biomolecule Preparations: Solution Preparations Read Chapter 2 pp 21-40, Chapter 3 pp51-57, Chapter 7 pp 129-160
January 20	Project #1- Basic Biomolecule Preparations: DNA purification Read Chapter 4 pp. 69-86 Chapter 5 pp89-98
January 22	Project #1- Basic Biomolecule Preparations: Protein Preparation Quantitation of Genomic DNA by Spectrophotometry Read Chapter 12 pp 279-281,288-289, pp 298-307
January 27	Project #1- Basic Biomolecule Preparations: Protein Quantitation by BCA Genomic DNA analysis by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Chapter 15 373-386
January 29	Project #1- Basic Biomolecule Preparations: Results and Discussion
February 3	Exam on Project #1 Discuss Project #2-Bioinformatics Project
February 5	Project #2-Bioinformatics Basics of bioinformatics Use of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
February 10	Project #2-Bioinformatics Use of Software and understanding sequences and structures
February 12	Project #2-Bioinformatics Group projects
February 17	Project #2- Bioinformatics Results Presentations and Discussion
February 19	Exam on Project #2 Discussion on Project #3- To be determined
February 27-April 16	Project #3 and #4- To be determined Solution preparation
April 21	Review of all labs for the Semester
April 23	Final Exam- Comprehensive with emphasis on Project 4

Grading

Activity	Basic Expectations	Points
Laboratory Books	Written Record of Work Done in Lab Before Lab, come in with the following: Date Objective Materials Material How it is made or obtained? Methods Be sure to keep track of amounts, temperatures, times. Results Add in results as they come. Discussion At the end of the day, discuss where you are on the project At the end of the project, discuss what you have accomplished	100
Bioinformatics (Group written report)	Report from the Bioinformatics project Sequences Blast searches Type of Gene Similar Known Sequences Specific Motifs Abstracts of Important Papers Design Experiment based on Information Obtained	25
Bioinformatics (Group oral report)	Oral Report to the Class of Group Results from Bioinformatics Project Visuals on data obtained Discuss Analysis of information Discuss Experiment based on Information Obtained Answer Questions	25
Exams	Questions can include: Materials and Methods Data Analysis Basic Techniques including Media and Solution Preparation Equipment use Laboratory Safety Experimental Design Practical Demonstration of Methods Development of own hypothesis and developing experiment to test hypothesis	150
Final Exam (Cumulative with emphasis on Project 4)	Questions can include: Materials and Methods Data Analysis Basic Techniques including Media and Solution Preparation Equipment use Laboratory Safety Experimental Design Practical Demonstration of Methods Development of own hypothesis and developing experiment to test hypothesis	200
Total		500

Grading Scale

Points	Grade
500-450	A
449-400	B
399-350	C
349-300	D
<300	F

The professor reserves the right to curve the final grades. The professor will not, however, curve before the final grades.

Make up exams only under extreme circumstances and will be oral exam. The professor must be notified before the exam.

Rules of Course

Students are expected to have read the laboratory and prepare notebook before entering into the laboratory.
Students are expected in class at the beginning of the period (even if it starts at 1 pm)
Cleaning lab benches before and after the exercises is expected of each student.
Students are expected to follow the safety guidelines in the "Laboratory Instructions and Safety Rules" sheet signed by students on the first day of laboratory. If students do not follow the instructions and safety rules, this will be grounds for student removal for that day's laboratory experience.
To improve teaching and conserve on supplies, some exercises will be done in groups of two or four students.
The instructor is currently trying to obtain the supplies and equipment for these laboratories. The laboratories that are in the syllabus may change depending on the availability of supplies and equipment.

Accommodations:

This University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to: the Disability Resource Office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Suite 236.

Updated 1/09