This is a one-semester, three-credit course that provides an overview of some of the disciplinary areas that define cellular biotechnology. Emphasis is placed on describing basic principles, and illustrating the relationships between the various subjects of biotechnology. Students participate in a team-based approach to proposal development for biotechnology-related problem solving.

The course in 2006 included the following topics: (1) gene therapy (2) stem cells and stem cell therapy (3) drug discovery (4) proteolysis (5) imaging in biotechnology (6) biomaterials and tissue engineering (7) nanoscale manipulation. Emphasis is placed on describing basic principles, and on illustrating the necessary relationships between the various subjects of biotechnology.

This course is cross-listed with the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology; Biological Chemistry; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; and Microbiology & Immunology.

Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Place: 5623 Medical Science II, Wheeler Lecture Hall

Course Director (2007):

Dr. Anne Vojtek
Department of Biological Chemistry
Phone (734) 647-6794
avojtek@umich.edu

Course Instructors for 2007:

Mike Imperiale
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
“Gene Therapy”

Dr. K. Sue O'Shea
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
“Stem Cells and Stem Cell Therapy”

Dr. Robert Fuller
Department of Biological Chemistry
“At the Cutting Edge of Proteolysis”

Dr. Adam Hoppe
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
“Imaging in Biotechnology”

Dr. David Kohn
Department of Biomedical Engineering
“Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering”

Graduate Teaching Assistants:

Andrea Radtke
Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Greg Boggy
Department of Biomedical Engineering

Evaluation of student performance:
Student performance is evaluated in two ways: (1) through homework assignments given in each of the five major course modules; and (2) through a team-based project. Homework assignments are given out during each of the course modules, and the completed assignment is due at the first class period of the following module. The five homework assignments each comprise 10% of the final grade, for a total of 50%. The course project consists of formulating, writing and presenting a research/idea proposal that explores a biotechnological solution to a problem that is related to, or incorporates, some of the topics discussed in class. Proposals are cross-disciplinary in approach; they contribute to 50% of the final grade. Attendance is monitored; good attendance can benefit those with borderline grades.