Foundations of Molecular Biotechnology

Catalog description

Students will be exposed to the conceptual foundations of biotechnology and the role played by discoveries and applications of molecular biology principles in advancing biotechnology industry horizons. This is a case-based course in which students will read landmark original papers that shaped (or are shaping) biotechnology, and discuss these in the class. The first half of the course explores targeted editing of the genome using CRISPR/Cas9 through the critical analysis of a landmark research report, and explores the foundational basis of present and future directions of biotechnology. The second half of the course will explore the role of the microbiome in human health and potential therapies.