Princeton University

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Lab M/T/W/Th, 1:30-4:20 p.m.

This double-credit laboratory course focuses on state-of-the-art experimental design and practice in quantitative biology. It builds upon ISC/CHM/COS/MOL/PHY 231-236, the freshman and sophomore courses.

The course begins with a short introduction to technology and principles, followed by designing and executing independent projects done by collaborative pairs of students, with the continuing guidance and advice of the teaching staff. Students have the freedom to pursue projects that probe their specific areas of interest. Activities involve devising protocols, sometimes including building specialized equipment or starting materials, and independent experimentation with simple biological model systems (bacteria, yeast or worms). In the first two years, the focus is on functional genomics, using the yeast Saccharomyces bayanus as the model organism.

The course ends with student presentations during Reading Period, at which each project is described to the entire class. There is also a poster session during the Lewis-Sigler Institute’s annual Center for Systems Biology Retreat, in January.

ISC/CHM/COS/MOL/PHY 231-234 and ISC/CHM/COS/MOL/PHY 235/6, or by permission of the instructor. Students planning to major in molecular biology are encouraged to take MOL 350 in the spring of their sophomore year.

David Botstein (Molecular Biology and Lewis-Sigler Institute)
Megan McClean (Lewis-Sigler Fellow)
Marcus Noyes (Lewis-Sigler Fellow)
Timothy Tayler (Princeton Neuroscience Institute)