BIOL - Biology Molecular Cell and Developmental

Undergraduate students who work in faculty research laboratories present the results of their projects. Organized by the Minority Undergraduate Research Program and the Minority Access to Research Careers Program. Designed for students with membership in the above-mentioned programs. Prerequisite(s): qualifications as determined by instructor at first class meeting.

Introduction to biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Provides biology majors with the theory and practice of experimental biology. A wide range of concepts and techniques used in the modern laboratory are included in the exercises. Designed to satisfy the introductory biology lab requirement of many medical and professional schools.

Biochemical, medical, social, and clinical aspects of the female body. Emphasis will be on biological-chemical interactions in the female organs. Topics include female anatomy, cell physiology, endocrine functions, sexuality and intimacy, sexually transmitted diseases, puberty, pregnancy, menopause, birth control, abortion, immunity, cancer.

Introduction to Darwinian evolution including how the theory was devised and a discussion of other theories proposed at the time. Explores the facts and evidence of evolutionary processes and the insights they provide in biological diversity, consequences of extinction, and emergence of new diseases. Includes a discussion of evolution and spirituality.

Designed to introduce non-biology majors to the biology of viruses, the human immune system, HIV/AIDS, and emerging viral pandemics. Also explores vaccine technology and viral mediated therapies. Social, political, and economic influences of HIV and other viral pandemics discussed.

Explores scientific principles and logic through research seminars in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Additional topics may include diseases, stem cell biology, and other medically relevant areas in biomedical research. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 3 or equivalent (i.e., mathematics placement examination score), and satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to first-year, sophomore, and junior students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.

An interdisciplinary, multicultural, and historical perspective of medicine focused primarily upon therapy and practice to achieve better understanding of the scope, practice, and limits or medicine.

An introduction to biochemistry including biochemical molecules, protein structure and function, membranes, bioenergetics, and regulation of biosynthesis. Provides students with basic essentials of modern biochemistry and the background needed for upper-division biology courses. Students who plan to do advanced work in biochemistry and molecular biology should take the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100 series directly. Students cannot receive credit for this course after they have completed any two courses from the BIOC 100A, BIOC 100B, and BIOC 100C sequence.

Basic techniques and principles of laboratory biochemistry including isolation and characterization of a natural product, manipulation of proteins and nucleic acids to demonstrate basic physical and chemical properties; and characterization of enzyme substrate interactions. Students are billed a materials fee.

Covers the basic molecular mechanism of DNA replication and transcription, protein synthesis, and gene regulation in bacterial and eukaryotic organisms. The experimental techniques used to determine these mechanisms are emphasized. Unless students have already passed BIOL 20L, they are strongly encouraged to enroll in BIOL 101L.

Laboratory course providing hands-on experience with, and covering conceptual background in, fundamental techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry, including DNA cloning, PCR, restriction digest, gel electrophoresis, protein isolation, protein quantification, protein immunoblot (Western) analysis, and use of online bioinformatics tools. Students are billed a materials fee.

Introduction to hypothesis-driven laboratory research. Students will create models of a unique uncharacterized disease causing mutation using site directed mutagenesis. An understanding of introductory molecular biology and genetics required. Students are billed a materials fee. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 20A. Enrollment restricted to biological sciences and affiliated majors with sophomore standing or higher. Enrollment by application and permission of instructor.

Introduces hypothesis-driven laboratory research. Students create models of a unique uncharacterized disease causing mutation and determine how it impacts the process of pre-mRNA splicing. An understanding of introductory molecular biology and genetics is required. Students are billed a materials fee. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 20A; and BIOL 20L or BIOL 102J. Enrollment is restricted to sophomore, junior, and senior biological sciences and affiliated majors. Enrollment is by application and permission of the instructor.

Introduces hypothesis-driven laboratory research. Students create models of a unique, uncharacterized, disease-causing mutation and determine how it impacts the process of pre-mRNA splicing. An understanding of introductory molecular biology and genetics is required. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 102J and BIOL 102L and satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition is requirements. Enrollment is restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in biology, molecular, cell, and developmental biology, neuroscience, human biology, and biochemistry and molecular biology. Enrollment is by application and permission of the instructor.

The overall objective of this lab is to apply bioinformatic tools to analyze the structure, function, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic). Students experience using web-based tools to retrieve and annotate genetic sequences, align sequences from related species, perform phylogenetic analyses, design sequence-based diagnostic protocols, and perform three-dimensional protein structure analyses.

Mendelian and molecular genetics; mechanisms of heredity, mutation, recombination, and gene action.

Classical and newly developed molecular-genetic techniques used to explore genetic variation in wild populations of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Topics include Mendelian fundamentals, mapping, design of genetic screens, bio-informatic and database analysis, genetic enhancers, and population genetics. Students are billed a materials fee. Enrollment is restricted to biological sciences and affiliated majors; biology minors; non-majors by instructor permission.

Lab course focusing on teaching students specific molecular genetic methods such as Phenotype analysis, Cloning, PCR, Expression analysis, CRISPR/Cas9-based Gene insertions, Protein Blots, etc., for the genetic manipulation of model organisms. Students are billed a materials fee.

Using budding yeast as an experimental organism, this laboratory provides practical experience in classic and modern molecular biology and in genetic and epigenetic methods, and develops strong scientific communication skills. Topics include mendelian genetics, linkage, gene replacement, chromatin immunoprecipitation and epigenetics. Students are billed a materials fee.

Covers the structure, organization, and function of eukaryotic cells. Topics include biological membranes, organelles, protein and vesicular trafficking, cellular interactions, the cytoskeleton, and signal transduction. Requires a good understanding of basic biochemistry and molecular biology.

Immune systems--their manifestations and mechanisms of action.

Principles and concepts of the innate and adaptive immune systems, with emphasis on mechanisms of action and molecular and cellular networks. The development, differentiation, and maturation of cells of the immune system are also discussed.

The immune system in health and disease, including failures of host immune-defense mechanisms, allergy and hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, transplantation biology, the immune response to tumors, immune-system interactions with pathogens, and manipulation of the immune response.

Principles of virology illustrated through study of specific examples. Topics include: viral genome organization, viral assembly, virus-host interactions, genetic diversity of viruses, viral ecology, and the epidemiology of viral diseases. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 101 and BIOL 110 and consent of instructor.

Focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind cancer. Topics covered include oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell growth genes, checkpoint genes, telomeres, and apoptosis. Students will gain experience in reading the primary scientific literature.

Covers eukaryotic gene and genome organization; DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; regulation of gene expression; chromosome structure and organization; and the application of recombinant DNA technology to the study of these topics.

A laboratory designed to provide students with direct training in basic molecular techniques. Each laboratory is a separate module which together builds to allow cloning, isolation, and identification of a nucleic acid sequence from scratch. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOL 187L or BIOL 287L. Students are billed a materials fee.

Advanced course in cell biology featuring small-classroom discussion of topics related to the structure and function of cells and their organelles. Emphasis is given to experimental strategies used in cell biology research. Requires discussion of scientific literature and student-led presentations.

Neglected tropical diseases afflict more than 1 billion of the poorest individuals on the planet. Course covers the molecular basis and pathology of the most prevalent neglected diseases and emerging strategies to combat these diseases.

Overview of human and medical genetics covering the molecular basis of genetic disease, quantitative methodologies utilized in calculation of genetic risk, and genetic testing and counseling. Includes discussion of ethical issues in genetics and genomic medicine.

A description and analysis of selected developmental events in the life cycle of animals. Experimental approaches to understanding mechanisms are emphasized.

Experimental studies of animal development using a variety of locally obtainable organisms. Approximately eight hours weekly, but it will often be necessary to monitor continuing experiments throughout the week. Students are billed a materials fee.

Introduction to hypothesis-driven laboratory research. Students isolate a unique bacteriophage and characterize its structure and genome. An understanding of molecular biology and basic genetics is required. Students are billed a materials fee. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 100 or BIOC 100A; and BIOL 101L or BIOL 102L; satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to biological sciences and affiliated majors with sophomore standing or higher. Enrollment is by application and permission of instructor.

Covers the theory and application of light microscopy in a non-mathematical way. Course starts with basic optics, introduces the working principles of various microscopes, and discusses recent innovations in imaging techniques with an emphasis on neuroscience applications.

The structure and function of the nervous system. Topics include elementary electrical principles, biophysics and physiology of single nerve and muscle cells, signal transduction at synapses, development of the nervous system, and neural basis of behavior. Requires a good understanding of basic biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology.

Explores in detail cellular and molecular events that underlay the function of the nervous system. Topics include neural development, axon guidance and regeneration, advanced electrical principles (synaptic transmission through a variety of receptors), synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, as well as several neural disorders. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOL 226.

Focuses on cellular and molecular processes that underlie neurodegenerative diseases. Includes lectures, student oral presentations, discussions, a term paper, and exams.

Covers the principles of nervous-system development from the molecular control of development, cell-cell interactions, to the role of experience in influencing brain structure and function. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOL 228.

Function, organization, and regulation of the major organ systems of humans, with emphasis on integration among systems. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOE 131.

Examines fundamental principles of systemic physiology focusing on the human. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOE 131L. Students are billed a materials fee.

This active-learning course explores the origins, evolution, and functions of ribonucleic acid (RNA), including ribozymes, ribosomes, IRNAs, spliceosomes, riboswitches, messenger RNA, microRNAs, snRNAs, snoRNAs, and other guide RNAs, CRISPR, long noncoding RNAs, retrotransposons, and RNA viruses.

Supervised undergraduate research in laboratory of an MCD biology faculty member accompanied by weekly lectures on ethical and practical scientific issues. Topics include: laboratory safety; the scientific method; the collection, treatment, and presentation of data; critical evaluation of scientific literature; scientific misconduct; and peer review. Career issues, including how to apply for admission to graduate and professional schools, are also discussed. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 100 or BIOC 100A; and BIOL 20L or BIOL 102J; and previous completion of the Disciplinary Communication requirement. Each enrolled student must have a committed MCD faculty sponsor by the first class meeting. Enrollment is restricted to biology and affiliated majors.

Supervised undergraduate research in laboratory of an MCD biology faculty member accompanied by weekly lectures on ethical and practical scientific issues. Topics include: laboratory safety; the scientific method; the collection, treatment, and presentation of data; critical evaluation of scientific literature; scientific misconduct; and peer review. Career issues, including how to apply for admission to graduate and professional schools, are also discussed. Prerequisite(s): Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements; BIOL 100 or BIOC 100A; and BIOL 20L or BIOL 102J. Each enrolled student must have a committed MCD faculty sponsor by the first class meeting. Enrollment is restricted to biology and affiliated majors.

Supervised undergraduate research in the laboratory of an MCD biology faculty member accompanied by weekly lectures on practical scientific issues. Topics include: laboratory safety; the scientific method; the collection, treatment, and presentation of data; critical evaluation of scientific literature; ethics and scientific misconduct; and peer review. Career issues, including how to apply for admission to graduate and professional schools, are discussed. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 186L. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 100 or BIOC 100A; and BIOL 20L or BIOL 102J; and previous completion of the Disciplinary Communication requirement. Each enrolled student must have a committed MCD faculty sponsor by the first class. Enrollment is restricted to MCD Biology-affiliated majors.

Students explore healthcare from the perspectives of both clinicians and patients. The class focuses on medicine's cognitive, emotional, and spiritual elements, with the goal of understanding the rewards and costs of healthcare practice.

Structured off-campus learning experience providing experience and pre-professional mentoring in a variety of health-related settings. Interns are trained and supervised by a professional at their placement and receive academic guidance from their faculty sponsor. Students spend 8 hours per week at their placement, participate in required class meetings on campus, and keep a reflective journal. Enrollment is by application. Students interview with health sciences internship coordinator; applications are due one quarter in advance to the Health Sciences Internship Office. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements; previous or concurrent enrollment in BIOL 189W is required. Enrollment is restricted to human biology majors.

Writing-intensive course offered in conjunction with the health sciences internship. Weekly class meetings include academic guidance and mentoring as well as discussion of the mechanisms and conventions of academic writing about heath and health care. Students complete multiple writing assignments, culminating in a term paper in the format of a scholarly article. Enrollment is by application. Students interview with the health-sciences internship coordinator; applications are due one quarter in advance to the Health Care Sciences Internship Office. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Previous or concurrent enrollment in course 189 is required. Enrollment is restricted to human biology majors.

An individually supervised course, with emphasis on independent research, to culminate in a senior thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Provides for individual programs of study (a) by means other than the usual supervision in person, or (b) when the student is doing all or most of the coursework off campus. With permission of the department, may be repeated for credit, or two or three courses taken concurrently. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Provides for two credits of independent field study (a) by means other than the usual supervision in person, or (b) when the student is doing all or most of the coursework off campus. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Reading, discussion, written reports, and laboratory research on selected biological topics, using facilities normally available on campus. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Two-credit Tutorial. Reading, discussion, written reports, and laboratory research on selected biological topics, using facilities normally available on campus. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Development of critical thinking skills via discussion of research articles on a broad range of topics. Prepares students to critically evaluate research publications, and improves their ability to organize effective oral presentations and to evaluate the oral presentations of other scientists.

An in-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Discussion of the roles of macromolecules in the regulation of information in the cell.

An in-depth coverage of topics in cellular and subcellular organization, structure, and function in plants and animals. Emphasis on current research problems.

Key topics in developmental biology, including developmental genetics, epigenetics, stem cell biology, and developmental neurobiology. Lectures are accompanied by critical analysis and discussion of recent publications.

A multidisciplinary course that focuses on topics to consider when tackling biomedical research questions experimentally. Lectures highlight important issues to take into account, are coupled with group discussions and intensive analysis of primary literature, and involve case studies to practically demonstrate how how these considerations might be implemented.

Multidisciplinary course with an emphasis on discussion of approaches and methods involved in the study of biological questions. Lectures focus on current gaps in our knowledge of topics and approaches to test models and hypotheses. Course focuses on current topics in RNA and DNA molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, stem cells, neurobiology, and genomics. Lectures coupled with small group discussions and written assignments.

An advanced graduate-level course on biological aspects of RNA function and processing in eukaryotes. Lectures and discussions will be developed using the current literature.

Covers the field of ribosome research in depth, including the structure and function of ribosomes and the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis. Begins with historical review of the ribosome field and proceeds to the most recent findings. Focus is on central questions: (1) How is the accuracy of the aminoacyl-tRNA selection determined? (2) What is accommodation? (3) What is the mechanism of peptide bond formation (peptidyl transferase)? (4) What is the mechanism of translocation? (5) What are the mechanistic roles of the ribosome and translation factor EF-G in translocation? (6) To what extent is the mechanism of translation determined by RNA? (7) Why is RNA so well suited for the ribosome? (8) How did translation evolve from an RNA world?

Eukaryotic DNA is complexed with histones to form chromatin. This course focuses on the ways in which chromatin influences and is manipulated to regulate gene expression

In-depth coverage of epigenetics focusing on how alterations in chromatin structure and DNA methylation establish and maintain heritable states of gene expression. Lectures are supplemented with critical discussion of recent publications.

Fundamental concepts, experimental approaches, and current advances in stem cell biology, with consideration of key ethical issues. Topics include: self-renewal and differentiation; the microenvironment; epigenetics; cell-cycle regulation; and how basic research translates to medical therapeutics. Ethical, moral, and political issues surrounding stem cell research are discussed with lectures from philosophy and other relevant disciplines.

Provides students with hands-on experience in embryonic stem cell culture methods.

All eukaryotic cells utilize intricate signaling pathways to control such diverse events as cell-cell communication, cell division, and changes in cell morphology. This course covers the molecular basis of these cellular signaling pathways, focusing on the most current research.

Provides students with knowledge of the latest concepts in cancer biology and cancer therapeutics, and a general appreciation of the rapid advances being made in this area of biomedicine.

For experimental biologists: focuses on resolving practical statistical issues typically encountered in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology lab research. No prior experience in statistics or programming is necessary.

How environmental factors (animals' experiences, environmental toxins, etc.) affect the formation of neuronal circuits and brain function. Lectures and discussions use current literature.

Provides an overview of the continually emerging roles for CRISPR in biomedical research. Topics will include an overview of the CRISPR genome defense systems in bacteria, the mechanisms of DNA cleavage and repair, the many uses of CRISPR as a genome editing tool in model organisms, and discussions on the ethical use of the technology in precision medicine.

Basis of neural behavior at the cellular, molecular and system levels. First half of course focuses on cellular, molecular, and developmental aspects of the nervous system and covers two sensory systems: olfaction and auditory. Last half of course concerns higher-level functions of the nervous system, such as processing and integrating information. Discusses human diseases and disorders. Students cannot receive credit for this course and BIOL 126.

Covers the principles of nervous-system development from the molecular control of development, and cell-cell interactions, to the role of experience in influencing brain structure and function. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 128. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students and by permission of the instructor.

Intensive research seminar on the structure and function of the gene expression machinery in the simple eukaryote Saccharomyces cervisiae and its relationship to the human gene expression machinery.

Weekly seminar on structure and gene regulatory function of chromatin. Discusses research of participants and relevant scientific literature.

Seminar covers research into the development of the mammalian brain.

A discussion of current research and literature concerning the regulation of precursor messenger RNA processing.

Intensive course on the molecular mechanisms underlying homolog pairing, synapses, and recombination; and how they are regulated, coordinated, and monitored to ensure accurate meiotic chromosome segregation.

Intensive research seminar on molecular mechanisms by which neural connections are established during mouse development. Special focus on topographic maps and role of Eph receptors and ephrins in this process.

Research seminar covering circuit structure and function in the developing brain.

Seminar covering research into the effects of chromatin on transcription in yeast.

Intensive course on molecular mechanisms by which insulator elements regulate epigenetic gene silencing.

Focuses on structure and function of the spliceosome using electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography. Participants present results from their own research and relevant journal articles.

An intensive seminar focusing on current research on the molecular mechanisms that control cell division. Participants are required to present results of their own research or to review journal articles of interest.

Seminar covering research into breast development and cancer.

Intensive course on the molecular mechanisms by which RNA binding proteins regulate gene expression.

Weekly seminar discussion of the current research and literature concerning the functions for long noncoding RNA in gene regulation within inflammatory signaling pathways.

Intensive, discussion-based course concerning ongoing research in quality control and gene expression via analysis of published and unpublished observations and theories.

Weekly seminar and round-table discussion about research problems and recent advances in molecular motor proteins, cytoskeletons, and the control of force-producing processes. Each participant reports recent advances in their field from current literature, their own primary research questions, current approaches to answering those questions, and their research progress.

Intense weekly seminar on the mechanisms of gene regulation, focusing on C. elegans and human parasitic nematodes.

Intensive research seminar about regulators of chromatin organization; the composition and function of germ granules; and the roles of both levels of regulation in germline development in C. elegans. Participants present their research results and report on related journal articles.

An intensive seminar concerning the molecular genetics of Drosophila. Recent research is discussed weekly, with an emphasis on gene regulation and development. Students present their own research or critical reviews of recent articles at least once during the quarter.

Involves a two-hour weekly meeting in which the students discuss topics concerning the cell cycle, early embryonic development, and the cytoskeleton. These discussions critically evaluate ongoing research in this area. Material is drawn from student research and recently published journal articles. Students are also expected to meet individually with the instructor two hours weekly. In addition to a three–five page research proposal, each student gives two one-hour oral presentations.

Weekly discussion of the current research and literature on translational pediatric genomics. Specific patient cases may be discussed.

This seminar course will cover the current topics and progress of neuroscience research on neural circuit development, connectivity, function and genetics. (Formerly Membrane Proteins.)

Intensive research seminar about epigenetic inheritance and the role of small non-coding RNAs in the intergenerational inheritance of paternal environmental effects. Participants present their research results and report on related journal articles.

Research seminar covering the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian nervous system, focusing on how the activity regulates the structural and functional dynamics of synapses.

Weekly research seminar covering gene regulation, cellular interactions, and stem cell behaviors in mammalian prostate development and prostate cancer progression.

Prepares graduate students to help teach university science courses. Weekly class sessions include activities and interactive discussions of diverse modes of learning, diverse ways of teaching, peer instruction, assessment of learning, equity and inclusion, and professional ethics. Students also visit an active learning class and an active learning discussion section at UCSC, then write evaluations of the teaching strategies used in those classes. (Formerly Teaching Assistant Training.)

Examination of ethical and practical scientific issues, including the collection and treatment of data, attribution of credit, plagiarism, fraud, and peer review. Career issues, including how to apply for grants and positions in industry or academia, will be discussed.

An important goal of graduate programs is to train students for diverse careers. Exposes molecular cell and developmental biology graduate students to diverse career options and helps them develop individual development plans to target their graduate training to their selected career goals.

Topics of current interest in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology are presented weekly by graduate students, faculty, and guest speakers.

Various topics by weekly guest speakers.

Independent laboratory research in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for their thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for their thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for their thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for their thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.