Laboratory course focused on application of molecular biology techniques for the isolation, quantitation, detection, analysis, and use of proteins. Substantial emphasis on the use of immunoassays and antibodies in protein work. Modern proteomics techniques are also discussed. Emphasis on recombinant protein expression in the field of biotechnology.

The seminar in biotechnology will run from time to time with different topics, including the following: 1) Cutting-edge issues facing the biotechnology industry. 2) Instrumentation and technologies utilized in the biotechnology industry.

Microbial genomes (primarily bacteria and bacteriophages) and genome-scale approaches to addressing questions in microbial physiology and pathogenesis will be the focus of this course. Large-scale sequencing projects, genome structure and evolution, metagenomics, and other challenges in comparative genomics, will be discussed. Hands-on wet laboratory and bioinformatics projects will be included in this laboratory-lecture course.

The development and progression of cancer can be defined by several molecular and cellular biological characteristics. In this course, we will utilize primary literature to begin to understand (1) how specific cellular processes are altered during cancer initiation and progression; (2) how different cancers and the genetic landscape underlying them are being studies using models in the laboratory; and (3) how innovative therapeutics are being designed to target tumors based upon their individual molecular signatures.