Biology 322 - SEM: TOPICS IN CELL BIOLOGY

Topics course. An investigation of the emerging fields of synthetic biology and bionanotechnology drawn from semi-popular and primary research literature. In this seminar, we will focus on the central question of what can be achieved by approaching biology from an engineering mindset. Specifically, what can be learned by treating biological components (proteins and nucleic acids) and systems (signaling and metabolic networks) as interchangeable machine-like parts? We will study examples of this intellectual and experimental approach and how its application has enhanced our understanding of cell biology. Harnessing biological systems for the production of pharmaceuticals and hydrocarbon fuel sources will also be considered. Finally, we will explore the prospect of affecting and interacting with cells using engineered nanoscale devices made from biological building blocks. The potential application of this technique in the diagnosis and treatment of disease will be examined. Prerequisite: BIO 202 or 230 or permission of the instructor.

Topic: Synthetic Biology and Bionanotechnology. Instructor Permission. Not open to first-years, sophomores