Biology 572 - Recombinant DNA Techniques

Week 1	Nucleic acids and polymerization pdf Bacterial plasmids and DNA transformation pdf     Safety rules pdf	August 29: Welcome, safety rules. August 31	This week and next, we're working on four problem sets: Metric measures, DNA base pairing, Mass/mole conversions, and Solutions. On 8/31, you will receive Cairns (1963) and a sheet on Henderson-Hasselbach for review. We will continue discussion on the four problem sets. Two of them will be due on Sept. 7th. August 31: In laboratory - preparation of solutions and materials for the following week.
Week 2	Polymerase chain reaction pdf	September 5 is Labor Day NO CLASS. September 7	Assignments to complete, prior to class on Sept 7th: Print out this method on preparing competent cells - bring to class Wednesday. Pick up supplemental reading #1 at QuickCopies. Have read the Cairns (1963) paper, for discussion in class. (distributed 8/31) Complete "metric measures" and "DNA base pairing problem sets - ready to turn in on September 7th. Sept 7: In laboratory - preparation of competent cells, for use on Sept. 12th. Discussion of Cairns (1963), and introduction to methods used.
Week 3	Site directed mutagenesis pdf Restriction endonucleases pdf	September 12 September 14	Assignments to complete, prior to class: Mass/mole conversions problem set is due Monday. Solutions problem set is due Wednesday. Possibly more - watch this site for further instructions. In laboratory this week - Methods of working with bacteria. Plasmid DNA transformation,
Week 4	Engineering DNA ends pdf     Additional cloning methods pdf	September 19 September 21	Additional readings - Tindall's Preparation of Buffers In laboratory this week - Methods of working with bacteria. Plasmid DNA transformation, Plasmid maintenance and curing. Introduction to bacterial molecular genetics.
Week 5	DNA sequencing pdf	September 26 September 28	Additional readings - Pick up supplemental reading #2 at QuickCopies (after 9/22) In laboratory this week - Introduction to design principles in PCR-based gene construction. Second transformation experiment - promoter silencing September 28 EXAMINATION. 12:00 - 12:50 9/28/05 NO LABORATORY CLASS 9/28/05
Week 6	Proteins pdf More about proteins pdf	October 3 October 5	In laboratory this week - Restriction analysis, DNA gel electrophoresis Begin work on DNA Joining (at the old school) problem set
Week 7	The lac operon pdf Prokaryotic expression vectors pdf	October 10 October 12	Assignments to complete, prior to class: DNA Joining (at the old school) problem set is due Wednesday. In laboratory this week - Southern analysis, Plan C-reactive protein cloning DNA Joining (at the new school)
Week 8	Exons and coding sequences pdf     Antibody methods pdf	October 17 October 19	Assignments to complete, prior to class: DNA Joining (at the new school) problem set is due Wednesday.
Week 9	Finding the gene that encodes a purified protein pdf	October 24 October 26	EXAMINATION. 12:00 - 12:50 10/26/05
Week 10	Temperate bacteriophage methods pdf     Libraries pdf	October 31 November 2
Week 11	Virulent bacteriophage methods pdf High-capacity vectors pdf	November 7 November 9:
Week 12	Walking in the genome pdf Transgenic plants pdf	November 14 November 16
Week 13	Somatic cell genetics and transgenics   DNA Detection and Hybridization	November 21 November 23	Please note: A very expensive and nonrefundable plane ticket is not a valid excuse for missing class Wednesday. If you are traveling on Thanksgiving, please make arrangements accordingly.
Week 14	DNA diagnostics   Chips and microarrays	November 28 November 30	EXAMINATION. 12:00 - 12:50 11/30/05 NO LABORATORY CLASS 11/30/05
Week 15	Combinatorial genetic engineering   Gene therapy	December 5 December 7
Week 16	Final exam week		Final examination. 12:45-2:45, December 14, 2005

Employment and enjoyment

Course information Course objectives: Students will understand key issues in recombinant DNA techniques, and be technically proficient in laboratory research, with minimal support. Broad description of topics covered: Properties of nucleic acids and proteins. Applications of molecular biology techniques. Course requirements and methods of evaluation: Course requirements include maintaining good class attendance, completing reading and writing assignments in a timely fashion, answering questions when called upon, and completing all quizzes, examinations, and laboratory work. The student's increase in knowledge of the subject and effort applied in the course will be the primary and secondary methods of evaluation. On-line access to a computer with a Javascript-enabled version 4+ browser (available in library or computer labs on campus). Click here to find out what type of browser you're currently using. Prerequisites: Biology 360, or consent of instructor. Grading criteria: Letter grades A-F, with plus/minus system. In the lecture, 50% of the grade will be determined from the examination results. 25% of the grade will be determined from attendance, and 25% of the grade will be determined from writing assignments, problem sets, and "pop quizzes", and class participation. In the laboratory, 75% of the grade will be based on writing assignments and proper maintenance of a laboratory notebook, and 25% from attendance and class participation. Absence from class is excused for religious holidays and illness (with note from attending physician). Students are responsible for all course content, including material delivered verbally in lecture and presented in the readings. Syllabus subject to change without notice. Biology Department Withdrawal Policy: Unrestricted withdrawals are permitted only until the end of the third week. Thereafter, requests to drop a class will be honored only when a verifiable serious and compelling reason exists and when there is no viable alternative to withdrawal. Poor performance is not an acceptable reason for withdrawal. During the last three weeks of the semester withdrawals will not be approved except when a student is withdrawing from all classes for verifiable medical reasons. Cheating and plagiarism: All forms of cheating and plagiarism (the claiming of the work of others as your own) are expressly forbidden by University rules and will not be tolerated. Any student observed cheating or participating in any act of academic dishonesty will have his or her case referred to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs for possible University disciplinary action. In addition, the student may receive a failing grade in the course. Other notices: Safety procedures in laboratory must be followed (see handout). Stan Metzenberg Department of Biology California State University Northridge Northridge CA 91330-8303 stan.metzenberg@csun.edu © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005