BI**194 / BGGN 280-285: Fall 2023 Course Descriptions
Disclaimer: Students may not receive credit for a second attempt of the same topic that was previously completed.
BIBC 194 A00: Structure, Disease, Medicine
| Instructor |
Flagg, Matthew |
| Title |
Structure, Disease, Medicine |
| Description |
We'll use protein structure to understand human disease and small-molecule therapeutics. Our central focus will be to visualize and characterize protein-drug interactions. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIMM 194 A00 / BGGN 283 A00: Genetics and Metabolism of Cancer
| Instructor |
Karlseder, Jan & Saghatelian, Alan |
| Title |
Genetics and Metabolism of Cancer |
| Description |
Cancer is a leading cause of death and understanding this disease at a fundamental level has been at the forefront of biological science. Cancers are linked by abnormal cell growth and therefore the mechanisms that promote and enable uncontrolled cell growth and immortality are of interest. These mechanisms include changes to the genome that lead to a gain of cancer promoting genes or loss of cancer suppressing genes. Similarly, cancers acquire changes in metabolism that enable a tumor cell to grow more rapidly that non-cancerous cells. This course focuses on the most recent genetic and metabolic pathways that have been linked to cancer; how these pathways were discovered; and the tools that are used to study cancer in a lab. The material in this course will require a basic understanding of molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIMM 194 B00 / BGGN 283 B00: Microbiology Current Topics
| Instructor |
Golden, James |
| Title |
Microbiology Current Topics |
| Description |
This class will cover current topics in microbiology from recent scientific review articles and primary research papers. Topics could include areas such as molecular mechanisms of bacterial cell biology; genetics and evolution of traits such as antibiotic resistance; bacterial interactions such as biofilms, symbiosis, or pathogenesis; and microbial biotechnology. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIMM 194 D00 / BGGN 283 D00: Biological Rhythms
| Instructor |
Golden, Susan |
| Title |
Biological Rhythms |
| Description |
This class will cover current topics in molecular and behavioral rhythms related to circadian, annual, tidal, or lunar timescales, and topics that may range from human sleep and performance to processes in environmental and laboratory organisms. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIMM 194 E00 / BGGN 283 E00: Metagenomics
| Instructor |
Allen, Eric |
| Title |
Metagenomics |
| Description |
The field of metagenomics is a rapidly evolving discipline driven by advances in computational biology (bioinformatics), DNA sequencing technologies, and the techniques of modern systems biology. The application of genomic approaches to environmental samples are being exploited to understand the microbial biology of diverse habitats ranging from the human body to the oceans and extreme environments. The goal of metagenomic methods are to discover the taxonomic and metabolic diversity of entire microbial communities to understand the form and function of microbial processes in their natural habitats. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIMM 194 F00 / BGGN 283 F00: Advanced Topics – Biofuels and Bioproducts
| Instructor |
Mayfield, Stephen |
| Title |
Advanced Topics – Biofuels and Bioproducts |
| Description |
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an interdisciplinary exposure to the new industry of photosynthetic biomanufacturing. This new biotechnology field covers biofuels and bioproducts such as alternative foods and biopolymers. A series of outstanding speakers, several from industry, has been assembled to cover diverse topics related to bio-manufacturing. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BIPN 194 A00 / BGGN 284 A00: Brain Energy Metabolism in Health and Diseases
| Instructor |
Pekkurnaz, Gulcin |
| Title |
Brain Energy Metabolism in Health and Diseases |
| Description |
The underlying causes of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders are complex, though these conditions have recently been attributed to changes in brain energy metabolism dysregulation. In this course, we will explore the principles of brain energy metabolism in health and diseases through a critical reading of primary research literature. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BISP 194 A00 / BGGN 285 A00: Contagion: Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
| Instructor |
Wertheim, Joel |
| Title |
Contagion: Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases |
| Description |
We will explore the factors that underlie the emergence, epidemiology, and evolution of infectious diseases. We will use the 2011 feature film Contagion as an entry point to understanding how we can use molecular epidemiology to understand and combat these emerging threats. Students will read and discuss the primary literature describing the current state of the field, with a particular focus on viral pathogens like HIV and SARS-CoV-2. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
BISP 194 B00 / BGGN 285 B00: Advances in Microscopy
| Instructor |
Muroyama, Andrew |
| Title |
Advances in Microscopy |
| Description |
Technological leaps in microscopy are allowing scientists to see the inner workings of proteins, cells, and organisms with remarkable precision. Through discussions of primary literature, this course will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art advances in microscopy that are transforming how biological research is conducted. Topics will include biological sensors, super-resolution microscopy, and cryo-EM. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |