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The Way We Work With Life: Issues in Biotechnology DVD and Digital Textbook Lecture Series BCH 190, BCH 523, and EDC 920 An On-line Course
The Digital Textbook for General Biotechnology and Course Instructions
Introduction: This entire course is now available as a DVD series to facilitate distance and on-line learning at a student’s own pace and provide educational materials for teachers. The course, Issues in Biotechnology, (BCH 190 ) and it’s graduate level counterparts (BCH 523 and EDC 920), are offered at various levels and intended for a broad audience; including, undergraduate students, Life Science industry staff, graduate students in biotechnology, high school teachers and high school students for college credit regardless of their major or degree program. There are no prerequisites. Theses courses aim to accomplish three goals: 1) to provide basic knowledge about DNA, genomics and gene expression that is fundamental to the how biological life functions, 2) to present a panoramic survey of the current applications in biotechnology, and career opportunities in the growing fields that are related to biotechnology; and 3) to examine issues and ethics concerning the future of biotechnology and our society. Work at your own pace!!!
How To Take This Course
I. How to Register a. To register for college credits through the University of Rhode Island for this course go to lifeedu.org or the University of Rhode Island Websites. b. Click on the appropriate course i. BCH 190 for Undergraduate credit ii. BCH 190 for High School Seniors iii. EDC 920 for Master’s level credit for teachers iv. BCH 523 for Graduate (MS and PhD) level credit
c. Proceed through the URI registration process
d. You will receive a student ID number and a password to begin the on-line course
II. Order the textbook
a. The textbook titled ‘Exploring the Way Life Works’ by Hoagland, Dodson and Hauck. Jones and Bartlett Publishers b. Order the text through Amazon.com c. Once you have received your textbook and your student ID number and passwords you are ready to proceed with the course.
III. Taking the course
a. With your password you now have access to The Way We Work With Life Digital Textbook. This Digital Textbook is comprised of a series of Powerpoint lectures given by experts in their fields. Each lecture is approximately one hour long. There is a reading assignment from the textbook titled ‘Exploring the Way Life Works’. The reading assignments concern the basic biology behind the advances in biotechnology and provide a basic background. The reading assignments do not coincide with the lectures but instead span the course. Work at your own pace!!! b. Quizzes have been constructed from the Powerpoint lectures and the textbook reading assignments. We advise that you take adequate notes on the lectures. In addition, see the Powerpoint slides in the DVD series as a study aid. In addition the student can order a copy of the printed Powerpoint slides as a working notebook through icopy at 99 Fortin Road, Kingston RI 02881 tele (401) 788-8277. c. Once you have completed the reading assignment and the watched the lectures you can take the appropriate quiz. Note the quiz menu associated with Table of Contents. Choose the appropriate quiz and answer all the questions. The quizzes are all multiple choice. There is a Mid-term exam after part I which is cumulative and based on the questions from the previous quizzes. After you have completed all the assigned lectures, readings, and quizzes there will be a final exam that is cumulative from part II only and based on the quizzes since the Mid-term.
IV. For Graduate level BCH 523 students
a. You must take the basic course as outlined in section III including the extra section on Agricultural Biotechnology. In addition, this course requires reading the assigned research and review papers in the area of your choice. This portion of the course is meant to function as a journal club on the special topics in an area of your interest, including Agricultural Biotechnology; Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; Medical Biotechnology; or, Marine Biotechnology. First, select an area of interest. The articles are provided as PDF files from the lifeedu.org website. There are five papers per area. Once you have read the papers in your area of interest you must submit five multiple choice questions on the five papers and take the appropriate test. The tests are multiple choice and generated from a pool of the submitted and evaluated questions.
V. For Graduate level teachers EDC 920
a. You must take the basic course as outlined in section III. In addition this course requires that each teacher submit four lesson plans on topics of your choice from the digital textbook table of contents. A sample can be found on the lifeedu.org website. The lesson plans should relate to the course material in such a way that other teachers interested to teach this course or a portion of this course can use these lesson plans as a resource. These lesson plans, then will be evaluated and provided for general use through the lifeedu.org website.
The Way We Work With Life: Issues in Biotechnology DVD and Digital Textbook Lecture Series BCH 190, BCH 523, and EDC 920
The Digital Textbook for General Biotechnology
Table of Contents and Course Instructions
I. The Mechanics of Life and General Biotechnology
1. Biotechnology: Panacea or Pandora’s Box Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 2. Setting the Stage and Patterns of Life Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp.vii-21, Chapter 1) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #1. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
The Mechanics of DNA: What is Life?
3. Flow of Life Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 4. Techniques in Biotechnology Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp.23-55, sections 2.1-2.8, first part of Chapter 2) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #2. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
5. Trends, Patterns and Relationships in Biology I Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 6. Trends, Patterns and Relationships in Biology II Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp. 56-85, sections 2.9-2.16, second part of Chapter 2) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #3. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
7. Gene Expression and Development Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 8. The Genomics Revolution Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp. 87-109, sections 3.1-3.8, first part of Chapter 3) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #4. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
C. Evolution and The Flow of Information
9. Evolution: How Does It Happen? Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 10. Evolution: Genes and Ideas Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 11. What is Evolution? Dr. Kenneth Miller, Brown University 12. Why is it Controversial? Dr. Kenneth Miller, Brown University
Reading Assignment (pp. 110-137, sections 3.9-3.14, second part of Chapter 3) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #5. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
II. Applications of Biotechnology
D. Agriculture Biotechnology: The Past Present and Future of Farming
13. How Is It Done & How It Is Used I Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 14. How Is It Done & How It Is Used II Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 15. Issues and Controversies in Agricultural Biotechnology I Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 16. Issues and Controversies Agricultural Biotechnology II Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp. 138-157, sections 4.1-4.7, first part of Chapter 4) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #6. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
E. Agricultural Biotechnology Panel Discussions (optional except for BCH 523 and EDC 920 Graduate Students)
17. A General Agricultural Biotechnology Lecture (optional and not tested) Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 18. A Panel Discussion: Research and Development Perspectives Introduction by Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 1. From Basic Science Discovery to Applications Dr. Thomas Hodges, Purdue University 2. Impact of Technology Improvement on Agricultural Production Dr. Hong Luo, HybriGene Inc 3. Biopharmaceutical and Bioindustrial Products Produced in GM Plants Dr. John Howard, Texas A&M University
19. Another Panel Discussion: GMO and Public Debate Overview by Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 5. Issues Surrounding the GMO Debate Dr. Neil Schultes, CT Agriculture Experimental Station 6. Consumer Attitudes and Communications Dr. Andrew Benson, International Food Information Council 7. A View of Agricultural Biotechnology Dr. Paul Chomet, Monsanto Co. 8. Public Participation in Decision Making For GM Plants Dr. Ian Sussex, Yale University
BCH 523 and EDC 920 Graduate Students: Take Quiz #6a. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
F. Cloning and Genetic Engineering
20. Animal Cloning and Documentary Dr. Jerry Yang, University of CT
Reading Assignment (pp. 158-181, sections 4.8-4.15, second part of Chapter 4) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Mid-term exam which is comprehensive and assembled from the quizzes. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
G. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
21. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Emergent Technologies Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island 22. Pharmacogenomics and the Future Dr. Albert Seymour, Pfizer Inc
Reading Assignment (pp. 183-207, sections 5.1-5.10, all of Chapter 5) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #7. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
H. Applications of Medical Biotechnology
23. Medical Biotechnology: Xenotransplantation and Tissue Engineering Dr. Beth Zielinski-Habershaw, University of Rhode Island and Brown University 24. Medical Biotechnology: Gene Therapy Dr. Beth Zielinski-Habershaw, University of Rhode Island and Brown University 25. Stem Cells: Therapy and Medical Research Dr. Theodore Rasmussen, University of CT
Reading Assignment (pp. 209-223, sections 6.1-6.7, first part of Chapter 6) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #8. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
26. The Biology of Cancer Dr. Michael Morin, Pfizer Inc 27. Emergent Technologies in Cancer Treatment Dr. Michael Morin, Pfizer Inc
Reading Assignment (pp. 224-241, sections 6.8-6.13, second part of Chapter 6) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #10. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
I. Marine Biotechnology
28. The Oceans: An Untapped Source Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri, University of Rhode Island 29. Aquaculture Dr. Terrance Bradley, University of Rhode Island 30. Water Quality Management (not available) Dr. David Smith, University of Rhode Island 31. Poseidon’s Medicine Cabinet: Finding Drugs From the Sea Dr. David Rowley, University of Rhode Island
Reading Assignment (pp. 242-241, sections 7.1-7.15, all of Chapter 7) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #11. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
J. Bioweapons and Biodefense (optional and not tested)
32. Bioterrorism, Weapons and Homeland Security Dr. Gregory Paquette, University of Rhode Island
K. Forensics
33. Forensics: Trace Evidence Dr. Amy Duhaime, Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory 34. DNA-based Forensics: The Real Story Dr. Mike Adamowicz, CT Department of Safety Forensic Science Laboratory 35. The National Forensic Debate: Public Safety vs. The Right of Privacy Dr. Carll Ladd, CT Department of Public Safety Forensic Science Laboratory
Reading Assignment (pp. 286-309, sections 8.1-8.9, first part of Chapter 8) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #12. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
III. Ethics and Social Concerns
L. Ethical Issues and Social Concerns in Pharmacogenomics
36. Bioethics and Pharmacogenomics I Dr. Elora Werringer, Pfizer Inc 37. Bioethics and Pharmacogenomics II Dr. Elora Werringer, Pfizer Inc
Reading Assignment (pp. 310, sections 8.10-8.23, second part of Chapter 8) in Exploring The Way Life Works Take Quiz #13. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid. Take Final-term exam which is comprehensive of part II (everything since the Mid-term exam) and assembled from the quizzes. See Powerpoint slides available as a study aid.
Appendix 1. Issues in Biotechnology: The Way We Work With Life (BCH 190)Dr. Albert P. Kausch
A course for general undergraduate and the general public covering, in simple terms, basic knowledge in the exploding field of Biotechnology.
How does life work? What is life? How are genes sequenced or cloned? Should we be cloning genes and moving them into other organisms? How will biotechnology affect medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture? Should we be cloning and genetically engineering animals? Should the federal government support stem cell research? What are the ethical issues? What are the career opportunities in the various fields that utilize biotech? These are currently just some of the important and socially relevant questions regarding the extraordinary advances in biotechnology that are addressed in this new course titled “The Way We Work With Life: Issues in Biotechnology”.
Knowledge about how life on this planet works should be a part of basic education and will provide a basis for informed dialogue about the current advances in all of the various and often controversial fields of biotechnology.
Course Description
The biological and environmental sciences have been rapidly transformed by the introduction of DNA-based technologies that allow for the precise manipulation and examination of the genetic material of plants, animals and microbes. The application of this technology encompasses the exploding fields within biotechnology. The tools of biotechnology are currently being applied across the biological sciences to address problems in agricultural crop improvement, marine sciences and aquaculture, medicine, pharmacy, forensics, and public health. The introduction of this field has been extremely rapid and has created a tremendous educational need to keep pace.
The technology now exists to clone any piece of DNA and transfer that DNA from one organism to another. The sequence of the human genome, and those of many other organisms, has recently been published. The implications of these advancements and their influence on society into the future are enormous. Indeed, it can be said that the accomplishment of man’s landing on the moon pales in significance to these advancements. Everyday the news is filled with recent developments and concerns regarding genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in food, the human genome, and cloning research. While even the President and the Pope must grapple with issues involving Stem Cell Research, the general public is largely ignorant of the facts surrounding these developments. Knowledge of how DNA works is now as fundamental as knowledge of the solar system.
This course provides an introduction to Biotechnology and its impact on the environmental and life sciences, medicine, and agriculture. First, the basic questions concerning What is Life? and How does it work? are examined. To address these questions, the fundamental mechanics of biological life, DNA, gene expression and cloning are presented in basic layman’s terms as a basis for the current applications of modern biotechnology. Next, the current basic techniques used for gene cloning and transfer are examined. These technologies provide the basis for biotechnological advances in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, and forensic applications. Applications of recombinant DNA and genetic engineering are explored in these areas that are dramatically affecting our society and future. Lastly, the implications of biotechnology to world economy, politics, ecology and ethics are also discussed.
1. Background
Today, the term ‘biotechnology’ most frequently refers to the use of DNA-based technologies that are now so widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, and forensic applications. News and breakthroughs in biotechnology are now common in the popular press. For example, a recent special issue of TIME magazine was titled “Biotechnology-The future is now”. However, education of the public is lagging significantly behind the rate of advancement in this rapidly developing field.
The techniques to clone the first gene were developed in 1972. Now it is possible to clone genes from any organism, including bacteria, fungi, plants and animals and transfer those cloned genes into other organisms. For example, a gene can be cloned from a bacteria and moved into a plant such as corn where the plant will then make the protein that is usually made by the bacteria. The transferred DNA sequence, or transgene, directs the cell to make its specific protein product and provides the potential for new traits.
Next year there will be over 100 million acres of genetically engineered transgenic crops grown in the United States, yet the vast majority of US consumers have no idea how this technology works or its implications for our future. Most people do not know how DNA works. The benefits of transgenic crops are already in our stores. Their products are in many of the common foods we eat, such as corn starch, potato chips, and canola oil, yet most people are unaware of these advances and their impact.
The ability to create transgenic organisms allows genetic characteristics to be transferred beyond genus/species lines, even across kingdom boundaries. This has become a very powerful tool for agricultural crop improvement. Traits have been transferred which confer insect, pest and disease resistance (without the use of chemicals), drought and salt tolerance, as well as increased nutritional enhancement, and yield. For example, a new variety of rice has been developed with high levels of vitamin A that should help combat deficiencies in developing countries. In another amazing example, transgenic potato and banana plants have been made which produce edible vaccines against cholera and hepatitis B.
Why should we make transgenic crop plants? Norman E. Borlaug, the father of the “green revolution” and 1970 Nobel Laureate for development of new high yielding hybrids through classical breeding methods recently published an article titled “Feeding a world of 10 billion people: the miracle ahead”. He considers development of agricultural biotechnology as essential to meeting growing food demands in the next century.
The ability to make planned genetic modifications in transgenic organisms is also an important tool for understanding fundamentals of how genes function that are important to normal growth and development, as well as genetic diseases. These approaches will allow the development of new cancer therapies and cures for other diseases.
Given the rapid recent advances in transgenic biology and the other related areas of biotechnology and a prediction that this field will continue to grow and become increasing more sophisticated, there is an increasing need to create an informed and educated public in this area. The fact that there are various concerns and issues regarding genetically modified organisms further underscores the need for increased public education and awareness.
Educational Objectives:
This course, Issues in Biotechnology, is intended for the general public, Life Science Industry staff, high school teachers and undergraduate students regardless of their major or degree program. There are no prerequisites. The course aims to accomplish three goals: 1) to provide basic knowledge about DNA and gene expression that is fundamental to the how biological life functions, 2) to present the current applications in biotechnology, and career opportunities in the growing fields that are related to biotechnology; and 3) to examine issues and ethics concerning the future of biotechnology and our society.
Assigned and Supplementary Readings
Exploring The Way Life Works. The Science of Biology.2001. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc. Sudbury MA
Additional readings*
*As assigned
The Way We Work With Life Issues in Biotechnology
*Subject to flexibility and guest speakers
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