Protein Function in Model Cellular Systems

3 units

The goal of this 3-credit laboratory course is to train students in the scientific method. Throughout this course, they will study a protein involved in a cellular process. Students, working in small groups, will use bioinformatics to identify this protein in a number of species, then use this information to hypothesize which residues of the protein are important for its function. Over the course of the semester, students will test their hypotheses in two model systems for studying cellular function - the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the multicellular eukaryote Physcomitrella patens. The weekly lecture will give students the background necessary to understand and perform their experiments, including information on a variety of bioinformatics tools, phylogeny, protein structure, molecular techniques, cell biology, and microscopy. In addition, students will use primary literature to understand the role their assigned protein plays in their cellular process. Prereq: Bio 2960 and Bio 2970.