Improving the Undergradaute Biology Curriculum by Integration of Molecular Techniques into the Teaching Laboratories

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9352436 Morales This project is part of a major curricular change in the Biology Department to improve the undergraduate program. One of the specific goals is to introduce into the genetics and developmental biology laboratories new exercises that promote a better understanding of modern molecular biology concepts. Students will be introduced to current biotechnology by hands- on experience in bacterial and plant transformation as well as plasmid extraction and restriction mapping. The analysis of gene organization and expression by non-radioactive Southern blots and Western blots analysis will expose students to methods of basic and biomedical research. Acquisition of equipment for DNA and protein electrophoresis and supportive equipment will bring the existing departmental facilities for undergraduate teaching to the state of the art of biological techniques. Since molecular techniques are becoming an integrative common line in all the biological sciences, including ecological and evolutionary biology, these laboratories will be an asset for Biology majors and allied health students with diverse professional interests. ***