Current Tools in Reproductive Sciences (CTRS)

3 units

This wet-lab course will introduce (or reinforce) basic concepts of working in a laboratory, common techniques and research methods employed by reproductive science laboratories, topics in the responsible conduct of research and research fundamentals, and data analysis, visualization, and reporting. Reproductive physiology concepts taught in Human Reproductive Physiology will be reinforced, and new topics including mouse IVF, molecular biology, tissue culture, and microscopy will be introduced. 1.) Lab techniques and observations will include: Mouse anatomy and reproductive tissue dissection (ovary, testis, epididymis, endometrium, myometrium, oviduct, ovarian follicles, decidua, placenta); Embryology lab techniques taught through mouse IVF procedure (Assessing sperm morphology; Assessing oocyte quality; Embryo staging); Fluorescent Microscopy; Tissue culture; Molecular and cell biology techniques, PCR, qPCR, transfection, Western blot; NCBI database usage. 2.) Research fundamentals topics will include: Rigor and reproducibility; Responsible note keeping and data management; Formulating a scientific question, hypothesis, and predictions. 3.) Students will also be expected to visit translationally relevant sites (e.g., IVF lab (research concentration only); Labor & Delivery; Nursery and/or NICU; Engineering labs (Center for Women’s Health Engineering)).