Cell Biology and Genetics Lab

Description

This course aims to teach students the basic concepts of Cell Biology and Genetics. In the first module (by Sandeep Ameta), students will be taught the concepts and experiments for forward genetics by subjecting microorganisms to harsh environmental conditions and observing the phenotypes. The second module complements the first module by focusing on reverse genetics using the classic eukaryotic model system – Drosophila. The third module will introduce the genetic model system - Caenorhabditis elegans and its advantage in feeding based RNAi screens to uncover molecular mechanisms driving cellular processes. The course will provide students with a basic understanding and hands-on experience in handling, manipulating, and investigating cell-biology problems using genetic tools. Importantly, this is a discovery-based course, students will not simply replicate known results, but instead actively participate in generating new knowledge. The goal is to stimulate students’ interest in life sciences through inquiry-based learning. In the process, students will also advance their understanding of the field more broadly.