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Freshman Seminar: Control of Gene Expression 090:101 Section 55

Lecture/Lab: M5
Mon 1:40-3:00 PM

Waksman,
Discussions: Rm 311
Lab: Rm 019
(Directions)

Fall 2009
Course Instructors: Dr. Andrew Vershon (732) 445-2905
  Dr. Janet Mead (732) 445-4661

Description: The control of gene expression is one of the fundamental processes in all organisms and unregulated gene expression is often the cause for cancer and other diseases.  Understanding how gene expression is regulated will help researchers develop mechanisms to combat disease. This course will discuss current research in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is being used to understand the process of gene regulation in eukaryotes.  Students will get first hand laboratory research experience by performing experiments to isolate and analyze mutants in a protein that regulates transcription in yeast.  Because of the nature of the experiments and protocols, some class periods may extend 15-30 minutes beyond 3:00 PM
Lecture Schedule
Week
 Date Discussion Topic/Lab/Homework
1

9/8

(Tues)

Discussion: Course Introduction; Why is transcription important for biology and human diseases?
Review of of the general process of transcription and reporter genes
Lab 0: Introduction
Lab 1: Learn to use pipetors
Homework: Read next week's lecture/lab
2
 9/14

Discussion: Why do we work in yeast? Review of Yeast Biology
Genetic analysis of transcriptional regulatory sites; Genetic screens for activator and repressor proteins
Lab 2: Sterile Technique, Plate mutagenized yeast
Homework: Do homework questions HW2.pdf HW2.doc
3
 9/21

Discussion: Eukaryotic chromatin structure; Transcriptional silencing; Silencing vs repression, Sir2 vs Hst1
Lab 3: Streak colonies to screen for silencing assays
Homework- ead next week's lecture/lab
4
 9/28

Discussion:
Lab 4: Analyze silencing - pick mutants to make ONs & sequence
Homework-Read next week's lecture/lab
5
 10/5 Discussion: Activity of MSEs from mid-sporulation promoters; Identification of transcription factors that function at MSEs
Lab 5: Spot assays
Homework- Do homework questions HW2.pdf HW2.doc
6
 10/12 Discussion: PCR Mutagenesis and screen of the HST1:SIR2 chimera, Review of Screen data
Lab 6: Streak colonies to screen for repression assays
Homework-Read next week's lecture/lab
7
 10/19

Discussion:
Identify the mutants
Lab 7: Perform filter lifts and LacZ assays
8
 10/26

Discussion: Sequence analysis, 4-Peaks, FinchTV, Make a contig, Identify the mutants
Lab 8: Analyze sequences, perform BLAST, map mutations on the structure
9
 11/2 Discussion: Review of Sir2 structure; Structure modeling using CN3D or RasMol Results, problems and interpretations
Lab 9: Analyze sequences, perform BLAST, map mutations on the structure
10
 11/9 No Class!!
11
 11/16 Presentations: Presentation of data, Interpretation of the results
Powerpoint file and one page Lab report with discussion of the data are due by 10:00 AM on 11/16
 

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last updated 8/24/2009