Fall 2008 MCDB 4100 Special Topics Courses

MCDB 4100 (800) The Python Project taught by Steve  Luckey and Steve Langer (Leinwand Lab)

Cardiac size in humans and mice can change, but usually slowly and it is rare to see a doubling in heart size without genetic manipulation. The python is an animal that has evolved an extreme response to the physiologic stimulus of feeding. The python is an opportunistic predator that can survive for long periods of time without eating (1-2 months up to a year). When it does eat, it can consume a meal of up to 100% of its body mass. Following such a meal, the dry weights of many of its organs (but not brain), including the heart and liver increase dramatically within a 48 hour period and within a small number of days, they return to fasting sizes.

A therapeutic goal is to prevent growth of the human heart in response to disease like high blood pressure, but not inhibit enlargement that is beneficial or adaptive.  Because of the pronounced effect of feeding on the python’s heart, this model provides a unique system to understand cardiac growth and regression.  Understanding these processes could lead to new therapeutics in treating heart disease.

There is little known regarding the genetic information of the python.  As a consequence, this course is designed to expose students to the fundamentals of laboratory research.  The students will use and apply the knowledge gained from prerequisite courses to address a clinically relevant research question.  Modern approaches to genomics and molecular biology will be used and applied to a novel research project.  Students will be solely responsible for their research project and generation of unique data.

 Grades will be based on an initial written proposal, laboratory notebook maintenance, and an overall laboratory learning assessment.  At the end of the semester, students will also be required to complete a written, manuscript-style and an oral presentation.  These include an introduction, experimental procedures, results, and a discussion related to their findings.    

MCDB 4100 (001) Role of Science in Medicine has its own course number now MCDB 4201 (001) From Bench to Bedside; The Role of Science in Medicine team taught by Leslie Leinwand, et al.

Demostrates the breadth of research in the life sciences and how such research (not just in medical schools) can lead to medical applications. Lecturers from life sciences, the medical school and biotechnology, discuss drug development and the transfer of research into the clinical arena. Students also prepare a paper and presentation on the development of a commercial drug. Prereqs., MCDB 1150, 1151, or 1111, and MCDB 2150, 2151, 3120, and 3140.

 MCDB 4100 (002) Microbial Genetics and Physiology taught by Shelley Copley

Examines the physiology and genetics of bacteria, Archaea and viruses.  Particular emphasis will be on metabolism and cell division, adaptations to extreme environments, mechanisms of interactions with and manipulation of the environment, and evolution in response to environmental pressures.  Prereq., MCDB 2150 and MCDB 3500; Recommended Pre-req. or co-req. MCDB 3120 or CHEM 4711.

MCDB 4100 (003) Structural Methods and Macromolecules taught by Andy Hoenger

 This course provides a general introduction into structural biology and teaches the most common electron microscopy methods used today for structural and functional investigations into cellular components and large macromolecular assemblies. This includes cryo-specimen preparation, computational 3-D data reconstruction and functional interpretations through comprehensive approaches combining atomic-resolution data (e.g. from X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy) with physiologic data obtained on living cells and tissues.  Prereqs. MCDB 3120, 3500.

MCDB 4100 (005) Molecular Biology and Micro/Nano-Scale Engineering taught by Michael Stowell

Millions of proteins, each acting as a  nano-electro-chemical-mechanical device, work coherently in a biological microsystem: a cell. About 2,000 out of 30,000 types of proteins have been characterized and understood. These proteins and their bio-mimetic counterparts will be the enabling devices for the future micro/nano-systems. For engineering students, it is important to learn molecular biology and understand how such nano-machines work and how to manufacture billions of them through DNA, RNA and self-assembly. Likewise, with the advancement of micro/nano-technology, molecular biologists will be able  to establish synthetic platforms with precise manipulation of molecules and cells to study the effects of chemical and physical stimulations on gene expression, signal communication and many other biological phenomena.

 We are moving into an era with molecular biology and micro/nano-scale engineering interconnected. We will prepare our students to cope with such a challenge by teaching engineering students molecular biology and molecular biologists micro/nano-scale engineering. More importantly, they will work together in cross-disciplinary teams to conduct term projects to explore novel approaches integrating molecular biology and micro/nano-scale engineering.  Prereq. MCDB 3500

MCDB 4111 (800) Experimental Design and Research in Cell and Molecular Biology.  Topic:  Cloning and Mutagenesis taught by Christy Fillman (for more info. on the topic itself, see http://mcdb.colorado.edu/courseportal/MCDB4100_

cloning-and-mutagenisis/cloning-and-mutagenesis.html

  Learning molecular and cell biology experimental      
  design and approaches through independent research    
  projects. Students, working in pairs, will explore the
  research process and gain extensive first-hand        
  experience in: hypothesis formation; experimental     
  design; solution preparation and experimental         
  methodology; proposal presentation and defense (oral  
  and written); formal presentation of results and      
  conclusions (oral and written in a publication-style  
  format); the publication process; critical reading and
  evaluation of primary scientific literature. Prereq. MCDB 1150  or equivalent and instructor consent.   Recommended coreq., MCDB 3500.