BIOL 2540 - Biotechnology

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives: The student will:

1. Define biotechnology.
2. Explain how biotechnology developed from the basic sciences.
3. List the milestones in the history of biotechnology.
4. Explain how biotechnology has developed into an industry.
5. Describe how biotechnology is presently being used to solve world problems.
6. Relating to the applications of biotechnology, describe the perceptions and concerns of society.

Outcome 2: After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to describe the structural, chemical, and functional organization of cells.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells on both a structural and functional basis.
2. Describe the role of cellular structures.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the cell.
4. Distinguish between the use of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in biotechnology.

Outcome 3: After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to explain the basic principles of gene structure and function.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Describe the process of DNA replication.
2. Explain the central dogma of molecular biology.
3. Outline the steps involved in transcription and translation.
4. Explain the ways in which gene expression can be regulated.
5. Relate gene expression to the concepts of genotype and phenotype.
6. Describe the structural organization of genomes.
7. Recognize the opportunities in metabolic pathways for the genetic manipulation of organisms.

Outcome 4: After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to describe the tools and techniques, as well as achieve a level of competence in performing several techniques, used in biotechnology.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Demonstrate the use of the metric system in the biotechnology laboratory.
2. Describe the tools and principles of genetic manipulation of organisms.
3. Explain the steps in recombinant DNA technology/genetic engineering as well as carry out genetic manipulation techniques.
4. Describe the importance of microorganisms in genetic engineering.
5. Describe all as well as perform several of the key technologies including DNA isolation, protein isolation, cell culture, tissue culture, electrophoresis, blotting, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA synthesis, genome mapping, DNA sequencing, the storage and retrieval of generic information, transgenic expression, and cloning of organisms.
6. Maintain a properly organized laboratory notebook of all laboratory techniques/experiments including photodocumentation of experimental results when appropriate.
7. Develop the ability to thoughtfully and critically evaluate scientific problems and to apply experimental techniques to analyze these problems.
8. Develop the ability to interpret and analyze experimental data and devise conclusions based on these analyses.

Outcome 5: After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to describe the applications of biotechnology.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Explain how biotechnology has evolved into an industry and its role in the economy.
2. Describe careers in biotechnology.
3. Explain the steps involved to develop a marketable product from the research and development stage through the commercial development stage.
4. Describe the applications and benefits of biotechnology in the following six categories: agriculture, industry, health/medicine, environmental, forensics, and the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Outcome 6: After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to discuss social issues involving biotechnology.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Describe the ethical implications of biotechnology.
2. Describe the perceptions and fears about biotechnology.
3. Describe the risks of and regulations on biotechnology and biotechnology products.
4. Explain the rights and privileges as related to biotechnological intellectual property.
5. Discuss the future of biotechnology.

1. Introduction to Biotechnology
   1. Overview of Biotechnology
   2. History of Biotechnology
   3. Applications of Biotechnology
   4. The Biotechnology Industry
   5. Genomics
   6. Proteomics
   7. Bioinformatics
   8. Pharmacogenetics
   9. Pharmacogenomics
   10. Societal Perceptions of Biotechnology
2. Cell Structure and Function
   1. Cell Structure and Function
   2. Molecules of Life
3. Gene Structure and Function
   1. Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
   2. Gene Structure
   3. Gene Expression
   4. Control of Gene Expression
   5. Genome Structure and Organization
4. Introduction to the Basic Tools and Techniques Used by Biotechnologists
   1. Introduction to Microbiological Techniques and Cell Culture
   2. Review of the Metric System
   3. The Laboratory Notebook
   4. Use of Micropipets
   5. Plasmid DNA
   6. Isolation of DNA
   7. Restriction Enzymes
   8. Electrophoresis
   9. Nucleic Acid Detection Methods
   10. Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Isolated DNA
5. Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology/Genetic Engineering
   1. Molecular Cloning
   2. Cloning Vectors
   3. Enzymes used in Recombinant DNA Technology/Genetic Engineering
   4. Transformation of Cells
   5. Detection of Clones
6. Key Technologies Critical to Biotechnology
   1. Restriction Enzyme Digestion of DNA
   2. DNA Fingerprinting
   3. Nucleic Acid Hybridization
   4. Southern Blotting
   5. Restriction Mapping of DNA
   6. DNA Fragment Size Determination
   7. Introduction to DNA Sequencing
   8. DNA Sequencing Reactions
      1. Automated Sequencing of DNA
      2. Analysis of DNA Sequences and Databases
      3. The Human Genome Project
   9. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
      1. Applications of PCR
      2. Human DNA Polymorphisms
   10. Tissue Culture
   11. Transgenic Organisms
   12. Cloning of Organisms
   13. Stem Cell Research
   14. Gene Therapy
   15. Introduction to Protein Analysis
       1. Isolation of Cellular Proteins
       2. Electrophoretic Analysis of Proteins
       3. Detection of Proteins
       4. Size Determination of Proteins
       5. Protein Fingerprinting
7. Applications of Biotechnology
   1. Agricultural
   2. Industry
   3. Health/Medicine
   4. Environmental
   5. Forensics
   6. Advancement of Scientific Knowledge
8. Biotechnology and Society
   1. Ethical Implications
   2. Perceptions and Fears
   3. Risks of and Regulations
   4. Rights and Privileges of Biotechnological Intellectual Property
   5. The Future of Biotechnology