Instructors
Natalie Betz
Credentials: Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Position title: Academic Director
M.S. in Biotechnology Program (in-person)
M.S. in Applied Biotechnology (online)
Capstone Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics
School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Karin Borgh
Credentials: Ph.D.
Position title: Executive Director
Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
Tracy Worzella
Credentials: MS in Biotechnology
Position title: Customer Experience Science Liaison,
Promega Corporation
Course Overview
crb834: Molecular Technologies III
(industry-sited, hands-on laboratory course)
Year 2, Fall Semester (2 credits)
This powerful exploration of drug-discovery topics and concepts puts students in the role of scientists researching an inhibitor of Src Protein Kinase as a new drug therapy.
Hands-on laboratory sessions cover state-of-the-art assays, methods and data analysis used in primary and advanced levels of drug screening.
You’ll focus on detecting kinase activity as a model for a relevant drug target, evaluate the effect of two putative inhibitors identified from a compound library during an initial screen and assess how the identified inhibitors effects cytochrome P450 activity and cell viability.
You’ll gain experience with basic cell culture techniques, stem cell biology, fluorescent microscopy and high content screening. And as you master course concepts and lab practices, you’ll also hone your scientific communication skills with short papers and a detailed scientific protocol.
Here are some of the topics taught in this course:
Session Topics from Fall 2021
Session 1: Introduction to MTIII; Introduction to the Drug Discovery Process and Targets; Introduction to Kinase and P450 Enzymes and Assay Technologies; Thermo Fisher Drug Screening Service Laboratory Tour
Session 2: Introduction to Data Analysis; Kinase Assay Laboratory; Introduction to the Final Capstone Project; Business Concepts Refresher
Session 3: Cytochrome P450 Technology Laboratory and Introduction to Cell Culture and Cell-Based Assays
Session 4: Introduction to Fluorescent Microscopy, High Content Screening, and In Vivo Imaging; Basic Cell Culture Laboratory Activities
Session 5: Stem Cells: Introduction and Role in Drug Discovery
Session 6: Cell-Based Assay Laboratory and Introduction to CRISPR
Session 7: Final Presentations