51986

Skills needed to serve as a technician in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries. Students grow and monitor bacterial and yeast cultures that produce recombinant proteins, emulating the large-scale production used in industry. Cleaning, sterilization, aseptic inoculation, operation, and monitoring of fermenters and bioreactors. Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) will be emphasized.

Work experience for students in the Biotechnology Program through internships in the biotechnology industry. Students do internships in local academic/government institutions and biotechnology companies. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.

Introduction to the principles and techniques of molecular and cell biology and protein analysis. Emphasis on lab techniques, such as spectroscopy, preparation of cell lysates, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, enzyme assays, analysis of signal transduction, and stable transfection of mammalian cells. Design and analysis of molecular and cell biology experiments is taught.

In-depth coverage of current recombinant DNA methods and concepts of modern genomics. Emphasis on laboratory work using techniques such as culture of bacteria, DNA and RNA purification, plasmid DNA construction, cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR, and use of software tools to analyze DNA sequences.

Concepts, techniques and applications of mathematics and elementary algebra emphasizing applications to practical problems in biotechnology and chemistry. Use of traditional problem solving methods and interactive group activities.

The theory and practice of current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analytical methods. Laboratory experience in techniques such as multiplex PCR, reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and real-time PCR. Experimental optimization is emphasized.

Introduction to the theoretical aspects and laboratory techniques of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Practical experience performing PCR as well as experimenting with optimization of the reaction. Discussion of applications of PCR used in biotechnology industry, basic science, forensics, epidemiology, diagnostics, and determination of evolutionary relationships.

Underlying principles of immunoassay with focus on Western blots. Discussion of applications of Western blotting techniques used in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical laboratory settings. Laboratory exercises feature hands-on exercises emphasizing all aspects of Western blotting, including running protein gels, blotting, immunodetection, and data analysis.