Doctoral dissertation research.

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.

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.