Students will identify antibiotic-producing bacterial isolates from environmental samples. They will participate in a self-directed research project that will involve working with faculty to generate hypotheses. Students will also perform one or more antibiotic discovery and/or antibacterial chemical experiments and use advanced lab techniques including the UHPLC to fractionate and analyze chemical extracts. Cannot earn credit if already taken BIOT 897 Special Topic "Antibiotic Discovery".

Principles and technical skills fundamental to the culture of animal cells. Introduction to the techniques of sub-culturing, establishing primary cultures, karyotyping, cloning, growth curves, and cryopreservation. Techniques involving culturing mammalian cells in bioreactors will be introduced. Application of cell culture to contemporary research in biotechnology through independent projects. Special Fee.

Introduction to human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and how they are utilized in biomedical applications. Lab topics such as aseptic techniques, pluripotent stem cell cultures, stem cell differentiation, and cellular analyses will be covered. Lectures will focus on the current literature while the lab portion involves inquiry-based projects that will investigate how pluripotent stem cells proliferate and differentiate. Special focus will be given to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) cultures.

The organization, expression, and control of RNA and protein-coding genes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The focus of the course is on mechanisms of genetics at the molecular level and the application of modern techniques to laboratory biotechnology projects. Special Fee.