Chemical Engineering 690B - Biotech Lab Modules

Laboratory Modules are hands-on training in interdisciplinary and translational experimental, analytical, and computational techniques. Modules emphasize developing and/or adapting tools to better serve the biotechnology industry. Modules are centered around a particular technique, but they fundamentally stress how these techniques can be applied to a variety of different problems, perhaps changing the way students think about how they approach certain problems, and include what opportunities and constraints techniques have, with a focus on the rigor and reproducibility associated with said technique.

Open to graduate students in STEM fields. Priority will be given to students in the BTP and CBI training programs & additional students allowed as space is available.

Bone marrow hematopoietic colony forming assay Lab Module. Class meeting times Nov 10, 17 (Thur) 1-5 pm, Nov 11,18 (Friday) 11-3 pm.
Bone marrow that populates all types of hematopoietic cells throughout life receives substantial damage during chemo- and radiotherapy. The colony forming cell assay, also known as the methylcellulose assay, is an in vitro functional assay for hematopoietic progenitor cells. The assay is based on the ability of hematopoietic progenitors to proliferate and differentiate into colonies in a semi-solid media in response to cytokine stimulation. The colonies formed can be enumerated and characterized according to their unique morphology. In this lab module, we will practice the colony forming cell assay using murine bone marrow hematopoietic cells. We will first isolate murine bone marrow hematopoietic cells from normal and irradiated mice. Then, we will count cell numbers and set up a methylcellulose colony forming assay. Next, we will conduct microscopy scanning of plates for one week. Finally, we will assess the number and type of colonies based on images from which we will quantitatively determine radiation-induced bone marrow hematopoietic toxicity.