This class analyzes complex biological processes from the molecular, cellular, extracellular, and organ levels of hierarchy. Emphasis is placed on the basic biochemical and biophysical principles that govern these processes. Examples of processes to be studied include chemotaxis, the fixation of nitrogen into organic biological molecules, growth factor and hormone mediated signaling cascades, and signaling cascades leading to cell death in response to DNA damage. In each case, the availability of a resource, or the presence of a stimulus, results in some biochemical pathways being turned on while others are turned off. The course examines the dynamic aspects of these processes and details how biochemical mechanistic themes impinge on molecular/cellular/tissue/organ-level functions. Chemical and quantitative views of the interplay of multiple pathways as biological networks are emphasized. Student work will culminate in the preparation of a unique grant application in an area of biological networks.
This class analyzes complex biological processes from the molecular, cellular, extracellular, and organ levels of hierarchy. Emphasis is placed on the basic biochemical and biophysical principles that govern these processes. Examples of processes to be studied include chemotaxis, the fixation of nitrogen into organic biological molecules, growth factor and hormone mediated signaling cascades, and signaling cascades leading to cell death in response to DNA damage. In each case, the availability of a resource, or the presence of a stimulus, results in some biochemical pathways being turned on while others are turned off. The course examines the dynamic aspects of these processes and details how biochemical mechanistic themes impinge on molecular/cellular/tissue/organ-level functions. Chemical and quantitative views of the interplay of multiple pathways as biological networks are emphasized. Student work will culminate in the preparation of a unique grant application in an area of biological networks.
Life as an emergent property of networks of chemical reactions involving proteins and nucleic acids. Mathematical theories of metabolism, gene regulation, signal transduction, chemotaxis, excitability, motility, mitosis, development, and immunity. Applications to directed molecular evolution, DNA computing, and metabolic and genetic engineering.
A "Conversion Immersion" workshop was convened to provide a forum for instructors to work together to convert traditional "cookbook" laboratories to a more investigative format. This paper summarizes some of the ideas that emerged from the two sessions of the workshop, which included labs on the following topics: chick development, soils, antimicrobial agents, effects of pH and heavy metals on microbial processes, DNA isolation, immunohistochemistry, enzymes, osmosis, invertebrate diversity, plant diversity, microscopy and cells, muscle contraction, fermentation, and genetic engineering.
This exercise is designed to provide students with an opportunity to observe simple taxic responses in an aquatic test organism brine shrimp and a terrestrial test organism milkweed bug.
In this seminar, we will discuss some of the main themes that have arisen in the field of systems biology, including the concepts of robustness, stochastic cell-to-cell variability, and the evolution of molecular interactions within complex networks.
Because of their ease of handling, relatively fast life cycles, modest space and equipment needs, and interesting biology, microbial eukaryotes are excellent organisms for laboratory instruction from the introductory to the advanced level. Information regarding the care, maintenance, manipulation, and basic observations of two specific microbial eukaryotes, the plasmodial slime mold Physarum and the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena, are described. Exercises exploring growth, development, and behavior of Physarum and phagocytosis, chemokinesis, and cell population growth in Tetrahymena are detailed. Suggestions for additional avenues of investigation for both organisms are also presented.
No restrictions on your remixing, redistributing, or making derivative works.
Give credit to the author, as required.
Your remixing, redistributing, or making derivatives works comes with some
restrictions, including how it is shared.
Your redistributing comes with some restrictions. Do not remix or make
derivative works.
Copyrighted materials, available under Fair Use and the TEACH Act for US-based
educators, or other custom arrangements. Go to the resource provider to see
their individual restrictions.
