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Crop Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

CPSC 568: Recombinant DNA Technology Laboratory

2 hours

Course Description Molecular genetics and recombinant DNA methods represent powerful approaches to investigate the mechanisms of gene expression that condition observable phenotypes. The aim of this course is to provide you with the basic practical knowledge and hands-on experience regarding some of the most common experimental methods used in molecular genetics and recombinant DNA research. The course will be taught with the pacing and environment of a real research laboratory and in the context of designing experiments to answer a research question. The course is not for "beginners" and it is expected that students have basic familiarity with using micropipettes, operating laboratory equipment, and preparing complex chemical solutions.
  • Experiments will follow a logical sequence where the results from one experiment will be used in designing the next.
  • There will be times that you will be extremely busy or not busy at all.
  • The results for some of the planned experiments are unknown and some of the experiments may fail. Thus, all experiments must include appropriate controls.
  • Your success will depend on your ability to come prepared, listen carefully, pay attention to protocol details, and cooperate with others.
  • You will at times be handling dangerous compounds and laboratory equipment, THINK SAFETY FIRST at all times.
  • The bulk of each day has been scheduled to perform experimental procedures, but time has been scheduled throughout for lecture and discussion.

Additional Notes:

  1. No students are permitted to work in the laboratory unless a course instructor is present.
  2. Students are not permitted to remove any reagents, biological materials, or equipment from the laboratory unless specifically instructed to do so by the course instructors.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Course Materials A $60 fee for laboratory reagents and supplies is due the first day of class.

A laboratory manual will be provided to each student at the beginning of the class which contains detailed protocols for the procedures that will be used, recipes for commonly used reagents or solutions used in these procedures, as well as background information on the techniques used in the course and their applications. Much of this information is derived from literature provided by companies that sell molecular biology reagents as well as the two major reference sources used in practicing molecular biology laboratories:

Ausubel, F.M., et al. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997.

Sambrook, J., E.F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis. Molecular Cloning: a Laboratory Manual (3rd. edition). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Plainview, N.Y., 2000.
Course Objectives The aim of this course is to provide you with the basic practical knowledge and hands-on experience regarding some of the most common experimental methods used in molecular genetics and recombinant DNA research.
Course Time and Locations Students must obtain approval from Dr. Stephen Moose prior to registering for this class. Only offered during Summer Session I.

Room M-5, Turner Hall
Time: 9:00 A.M. to ~ 5:00 P.M
Monday through Friday,
May 17- May 28
Instructor Stephen P. Moose
389 Edward R. Madigan Laboratory
Phone: (217) 244-6308
E-mail: smoose@uiuc.edu
Prerequisites CPSC 352 or MCB 350, or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
Requirement(s) Fulfilled Advanced 400 level course
Grading This is a graduate course. Our primary goals are thoughtful interaction and mutually beneficial intellectual growth. Experiments will be conducted in groups of two. Though you must work effectively with your lab partner, your grade will be independent from your partner's. There will be a total of 100 points available in the course. Grades will be assigned on a scale of

81-100 points = A
61 - 80 points = B
< 61 points = C
or fail.

1. Attendance and full participation (10 points)

  • You are expected to be present the entire time, some days will run slightly past 5 P.M. The instructor must be notified of any absences.
  • Your experiments must be conducted in a safe and thorough manner by carefully following instructions. Much of your success will depend upon this.
  • Participate by asking and answering questions in the lectures and laboratory.

2. Project Reports (2 worth 20 points each)

  • Each group will generate experimental data during the course that will be used to characterize the allelic diversity within a different region of the maize glossy15 gene. The findings of each week's experiments will be summarized in project reports that indicate the objectives of the experiments, the methods employed, project data, and interpretations or conclusions made from the results.

3. Laboratory Notebooks (20 points)

Each student will keep a laboratory notebook that will be submitted for grading at the end of the course. The notebooks will be returned to students after grades have been determined. The notebook should record in ink as soon as possible upon completion of experiments the following:
  • the rationale for conducting the experiment and expected outcomes based on hypotheses
  • the methods employed (particularly any deviations from protocols provided)
  • the experimental results
  • interpretation of experimental data with regard to stated hypotheses
  • All notebook entries should be witnessed daily.

4. Written Examination (30 points)

  • An exam will be given on the last day of class that will cover the basic theory, rationale, and application of the methods used in the course.