20.109(S24): Laboratory Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
Welcome to 20.109! It is our goal to make this class a useful and fun introduction to the experiments and techniques used in biological engineering. Though there is not enough time to show you everything needed to do research, after this class you will feel confident and familiar with some fundamental experimental approaches and laboratory protocols. You will develop good habits at the bench, which will increase the likelihood of success in your work and ensure the health and safety of you and your labmates. By the end of the semester, you will also be well-versed in good scientific practices - through your experience with scientific writing, notebook keeping, and orally presenting data and novel ideas. All of us involved in teaching 20.109 hope you will find it a satisfying challenge and an exciting experience that has lasting value.
SCHEDULE DETAILS:
Lecture times: Tuesday (T) and Thursday (R) 11 - 12 pm in 1-390
Laboratory section times: Tuesday (T) and Thursday (R) 1 - 5 pm or Wednesday (W) and Friday (F) 1 - 5 pm in 56-322
ABSENCE POLICY:
Absences from lecture: Attendance will be recorded for participation points throughout the semester. If absent, student is responsible for all information provided in lecture.
Absences from laboratory: Excused absences should be discussed with the Instructors as soon as possible. Because make-up laboratory time is not provided, attendance in another section may be required to complete the necessary experiments. Unexcused absences will result in a 1/3 of a letter grade deduction from the final grade on the major assignment for the module (for example, a B+ would become a B).
MODULE
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DATE
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LECTURER
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LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS
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ASSIGNMENTS
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T/W Feb 6/7
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NLL
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Orientation and laboratory tour
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M1D1
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R/F Feb 8/9
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AK
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Placeholder
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Orientation quiz Homework due
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M1D2
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T/W Feb 13/14
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AK
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Placeholder
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Homework due
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M1D3
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R/F Feb 15/16
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AK
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Placeholder
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Homework due
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T/W Feb 20/21
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President's Day holiday
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M1D4
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R/F Feb 22/23
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AK
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Placeholder
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Laboratory quiz Homework due
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M1D5
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T/W Feb 27/28
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AK
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Placeholder
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Homework due
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M1D6
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R/F Feb/Mar 29/1
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AK
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Placeholder
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Homework due Research talk due Sat, Mar X at 10pm
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M1D7
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T/W Mar 5/6
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AK
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Placeholder
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Homework due
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M1D8
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R/F Mar 7/8
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BE Comm Lab
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Placeholder
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Laboratory quiz Homework due
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M2D1
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T/W Mar 12/13
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AB
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Determine peptide design strategy
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Homework due
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M2D2
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R/F Mar 14/15
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AB
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Clone cell surface peptide display vector
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Homework due Data Summary draft due Sat, Mar X at 10 pm [ Blog post due] Mon, Mar X at 10 pm
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R/F Mar 21/22
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Journal article presentations
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R/F Apr 4/5
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Journal article presentations
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[ Blog post due] Sat, Apr X at 10 pm
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T/W Mar 26/27 - R/F Mar 28/29
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Spring Break
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Data Summary revision due Mon, Mar X at 10 pm
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M2D3
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T/W Mar 19/20
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AB
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Sequence clones and transform into yeast
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Homework due
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T/W Mar 26/27 - R/F Mar 28/29
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Spring Break
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Data Summary revision due Mon, Mar X at 10 pm
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M2D4
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T/W Apr 2/3
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AB
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Confirm peptide sequences and identify additional peptides for testing
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Laboratory quiz Homework due
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R/F Apr 4/5
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Journal article presentations
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[ Blog post due] Sat, Apr X at 10 pm
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M2D5
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T/W Apr 9/10
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BCM
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Quantify cadmium removal from media by engineered yeast
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Homework due
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M2D6
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R/F Apr 11/12
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AB
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Visualize cadmium sequestration by engineered peptides
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Homework due
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T/W Apr 16/17
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Patriots' Day holiday
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M2D7
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R/F Apr 18/19
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BCM
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Assess quality of cadmium sulfide production by engineered yeast
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Homework due
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M2D8
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T/W Apr 23/24
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BE Comm Lab
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Complete data analysis and organize Research Article figures
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Laboratory quiz Homework due
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M3D1
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R/F Apr 25/26
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Brainstorm ideas for Research proposal presentation
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Homework due
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M3D2
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T/W Apr/May 30/1
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Pitch research proposal presentation ideas
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Research article due Mon, May X at 10 pm [ Blog post due] Tue, May X at 10 pm
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M3D3
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R/F May 2/3
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BE Comm Lab
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Develop ideas for Research proposal presentation
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Homework due
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M3D4
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T/W May 7/8
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Participate in Research proposal peer reviews
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Homework due
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R/F May 9/10
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Research proposal presentations
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[ Blog post due] Sat, May X at 10 pm
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T May 14
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Celebration lunch!
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