Biology & Biotechnology

BB 1035. Introduction to Biotechnology

Cat. I
This course will cover topics including genes-to-proteins, cell cycle, genomics, synthetic and systems biology, stem cells and regenerative medicine, cellular signaling, personalized medicine, and the production of therapeutic biologics. Through lectures, discussion and project work, students will gain an understanding of the function of biological systems at the molecular and cellular level and explore their application through genetic and cellular engineering to biotechnology. Projects will be designed to facilitate students’ understanding of the links between biological systems, biotechnology applications and their impact on society. This course is intended for BBT and other life science majors.

Recommended background: a solid working knowledge of biological principles

BB 1035. Biotechnology

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). Through lectures, discussion and project work, students will gain an understanding of the function of biological systems at the molecular and cellular level. This course will explore topics such as genes-to-proteins, cell cycle regulation, genomics, and cell signaling as foundational concepts in genetic and cellular engineering, synthetic biology, stem cell generation, regenerative and personalized medicine and the production of therapeutic biologies. Projects will be designed to facilitate students understanding of the links between biological systems and biotechnology applications, including their impact on society. This course is intended for BBT and other life science majors.

BB 2002. Microbiology

BB 2917. Hunting for Phage

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). Students in this course will become part of a national crowd sourcing initiative to isolate and identify novel bacteriophage. Students will design experiments to initially isolate phage (bacterial viruses) from environmental samples they have collected, then characterize and determine their DNA sequence. The DNA sequences will be used in the follow-on bioinformatics course BB 3526 Phage Hunters: The Analysis. Students in this course will make significant contributions to the field of genomics while gaining skill in the process of scientific inquiry, including hypothesis generation and testing, and practice in common microbiologic techniques. Students enrolled in this course may wish to consider enrollment in BB 3526 (Phage Hunters: The Analysis). Students that have already received course credit for BB 29IX or BB 2916 may not also receive credit for BB 2917.

BB 2917. HUNTING FOR PHAGE

Cat. I Students in this course will become part of a national crowd sourcing initiative to isolate and identify novel bacteriophage. Students will design experiments to initially isolate phage (bacterial viruses) from environmental samples they have collected, then characterize and determine their DNA sequence. The DNA sequences will be used in the follow-on bioinformatics course BB 3526 Phage Hunters: The Analysis. Students in this course will make significant contributions to the field of genomics while gaining skill in the process of scientific inquiry, including hypothesis generation and testing, and practice in common microbiologic techniques. Recommended background: A working knowledge of biotechnology or microbiology (BB 1035 or BB 2003, or equivalent). Students enrolled in this course may wish to consider enrollment in BB 3526 (Phage Hunters: The Analysis). Students that have already received course credit for BB 291X or BB 2916 may not also receive credit for BB 2917.

BB 3003. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY: PLAGUES OF THE MODERN WORLD

Cat. I
Using a case study approach, this course will focus on molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of a wide range of infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions including a survey of human immunobiology. Students will gain an understanding of microbes that are of medical relevance including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans, enabling them to make informed decisions about appropriate medical interventions. Students will be able to evaluate how their day-to-day choices impact public health as well as alter microbial communities. This interactive course is designed for all biology and biochemistry majors as well as other students with the recommended background who have an interest in the pathogenesis of disease.
Recommended background: a working knowledge of concepts in biotechnology,
molecular biology and microbiology (BB 1035, BB 2950, and BB 2003 or
equivalent)
Students may not receive credit for both BB 2002 (Microbiology: Plagues of the Modern World) and BB3003

BB 3003. Medical Microbiology: Plagues of the Modern World, a Case Study Approach

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). Using a case study approach, this course will focus on molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of a wide range of infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions including a survey of human immunobiology. Students will gain an understanding of microbes that are of medical relevance including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans, enabling them to make informed decisions about appropriate medical interventions. Students will be able to evaluate how their day-to-day choices impact public health as well as alter microbial communities. This interactive course is designed for all biology and biochemistry majors as well as other students with the recommended background who have an interest in the pathogenesis of disease. Students may not receive credit for both BB 2002 Microbiology: Plagues of the Modern World and BB 3003.

BB 3010. SIMULATION IN BIOLOGY

Cat. II

Computer simulations are becoming increasingly important in understanding and predicting the behavior of a wide variety of biological systems, ranging from metastasis of cancer cells, to spread of disease in an epidemic, to management of natural resources such as fisheries and forests. In this course, students will
learn to use a graphical programming language to simulate biological systems. Most of the classroom time will be spent working individually or in groups, first learning the language, and then programming simulation projects. We will also discuss several papers on biological simulations from the primary scientific literature. In constructing and comparing their simulations, students will demonstrate for themselves how relatively simple behavioral rules followed by individual molecules, cells, or organisms can result in complex system behaviors.

Recommended background: Students taking this course must have a solid background in a biological area they would like to simulate, at about the depth provided by a BB 3000 level class. No programming experience is assumed.
This course will offered in 2016-17, and in alternating years thereafter.

BB 3511. NERVE AND MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY

Exercises in this course focus on computer and wet laboratory studies of nerve and muscle structure and function. Students will gain experience in hypothesis generation and testing, and will have extensive experience using an interactive biomedical/physiological data acquisition and analysis system.

Recommended background: BB 2903 (Anatomy & Physiology), concurrent or prior registration in BB 3101 (Human Anatomy & Physiology: Movement and Communication) or equivalents

BB 3514. CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY

Exercises in this course focus on wet laboratory and computer studies of circulatory and respiratory system structure, function and physiology. Students will gain experience in hypothesis generation and testing, and will be introduced to an interactive biomedical/physiological data acquisition and analysis system.

Recommended background: BB 2903 (Anatomy & Physiology), concurrent or prior registration in BB 3102 (Human Anatomy & Physiology: Transport and Maintenance) or equivalents

BB 3515. Physiologic Systems Laboratory

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). Exercises in this course focus on computer and wet laboratory studies of nervous, musculoskeletal, circulatory and respiratory system structure, function, and physiology. Students will gain experience in hypothesis generation and testing and will be introduced to an interactive biomedical/physiological data acquisition and analysis system.

BB 3519. Protein Purification

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). This is a laboratory course focusing on the theory and practice of protein purification from a primary source. Chromatographic techniques will include two more of the most commonly used in the biotech industry.

BB 3530. Immunotherapies: The Next Generation of Pharmaceuticals

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). While the production of monoclonal antibodies has been around since the 1970s, their clinical use as human therapeutics represents an increasingly popular and promising application. Beginning with a hybridoma cell line and using a discovery based approach, students in this course will explore the processes involved in the production and purification of monoclonal antibodies. Using cells in culture to produce the antibody, students will explore the efficacy and cost of a purification scheme involving separation techniques such as ion exchange and affinity chromatography to produce a purified product. Purification will be assessed using typical analytical techniques such as spectroscopy, electrophoresis and immunological based methods.

BB 3570. Cell Culture Models for Tissue Regeneration

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). This course is an intensive hands-on laboratory that explores mammalian cells as building blocks of complex tissues in vitro. In addition to learning standard cell culture skills, students will have the opportunity to examine cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and function under different culture conditions. The course culminates with design and development of a cell-based system for an application in regenerative medicine (e.g., wound healing and fibrosis). Students will synthesize and present their work in the form of a research manuscript.

BB 357X. CELL CULTURE MODELS FOR TISSUE REGENERATION

Cat I (1/3 unit)
This course is an intensive hands-on laboratory that explores mammalian cells as building blocks of complex tissues in vitro. In addition to learning standard cell culture skills, students will have the opportunity to examine cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and function under different culture conditions. The course culminates with design and development of a cell-based system for an application in regenerative medicine (e.g., wound healing and fibrosis). Students will synthesize and present their work in the form of a research manuscript.
Recommended background: a working knowledge of the principles of cell biology (BB 2550 or equivalent) and molecular biology and/or genetics (BB 2920 or 2950 or equivalent) as well as foundational lab experience such as that offered in the BB 2900 lab sequence.
Some sections of this course may be offered as Writing Intensive (WI)

BB 4150. Environmental Change: Problems and Approaches

BB 4170. EXPERIMENTAL GENETIC ENGINEERING

Cat. I

This laboratory course focuses on modern DNA technologies and general applications of gene manipulation. Topics include gene amplification and recombination, promoter and plasmid engineering, gene expression and analysis, model systems, CRISPR, genomics and transgenics. Experiments in this course are integrated into an overall genetic engineering project throughout the term that will involve techniques such as electrophoresis, quantitative spectrofluorimetry, and real-time quantitative PCR. Methods of data analysis, common statistical approaches and technical writing will be emphasized throughout the course.

Recommended background: Knowledge of organic chemistry fundamentals as well as biochemical concepts including DNA replication and recombination, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis. Familiarity with cellular architecture is also recommended. See CH 2310, BB 2550, BB 4010 and CH 4110 or equivalent.

BB 4190. REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION

Cat. I
Through lectures, problem sets, reading and discussion, and presentations this course will help elucidate for students the processes that allow regulated gene expression, mechanisms used in each type of regulation, and methods and techniques used for investigation of regulatory mechanisms. Readings from the current original research literature will explore the growing use of model systems and "omics" level approaches to enhance our ever expanding understanding of the gene regulatory mechanisms. The development of cell based therapeutics and genetic engineering as they relate to gene regulation will be introduced.

Recommended background Topics in Biochemistry I, II and III (CH 4110, 4120, 4130) and Advanced Molecular Genetics (BB 4010) or the equivalents.

BB4260. SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Cat. II

Do we yet have the technology to engineer life? Can we control gene expression to create organisms that function in useful ways? Do we understand the tenets of genetic regulation as well as we think we do? These important questions and more are investigated by the emerging field of Synthetic Biology. In this course, students will explore this exciting new realm of biology through in-depth analysis and discussion of primary literature. Topics to be covered include the design and construction of synthetic gene circuits, synthesis of new genes and genomes, logic gate regulation of gene expression, and the latest applications of synthetic biology to advances in medicine, information processing, and the environment.

Recommended background: Students should have a strong foundational knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics, as would be obtained from BB2550, BB2920, and BB2950. This course will be offered in 2022-23, and in alternating years thereafter.

BB 4260. Synthetic Biology

Cat II (offered at least every other Year). Do we yet have the technology to engineer life? Can we control gene expression to create organisms that function in useful ways? Do we understand the tenets of genetic regulation as well as we think we do? These important questions and more are investigated by the emerging field of Synthetic Biology. In this course, students will explore this exciting new realm of biology through in-depth analysis and discussion of primary literature. Topics to be covered include the design and construction of synthetic gene circuits, synthesis of new genes and genomes, logic gate regulation of gene expression, and the latest applications of synthetic biology to advances in medicine, information processing, and the environment. This course will be offered in 2022-23, and in alternating years thereafter.

BB 4801. BIOINFORMATICS

Cat. II
This course will provide an overview of bioinformatics, covering a broad
selection of the most important techniques used to analyze biological sequence
and expression data. Students will acquire a working knowledge of bioinformatics
applications through hands-on use of software to ask and answer biological
questions. In addition, the course will provide students with an introduction to
the theory behind some of the most important algorithms used to analyze sequence data (for example, alignment algorithms and the use of hidden Markov
models). Topics covered will include protein and DNA sequence alignments,
evolutionary analysis and phylogenetic trees, obtaining protein secondary
structure from sequence, and analysis of gene expression including clustering
methods.
Recommended background: BB 2920, BB 2950, and MA 2610 or 2611.
This is being offered in 2012-13 and in alternating years thereafter.

ISU BB. Special Topics

Cat I (offered at least 1x per Year). Experimental courses, special conferences and seminars are offered by advance arrangement only. The lab activities in these courses will provide foundational skills needed for the study of living organisms and systems at the molecular, organismal and environmental level. In these labs students will begin building the skills to carry into more advanced labs, their MQPs and professional careers. In particular students will gain experience with scientific procedures and techniques, technical equipment, teamwork, laboratory safety, hypothesis generation and testing, scientific data analysis (including statistics), oral and written scientific communication and skills common to all areas of biology.