Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB)

Head of Department: Professor Philip L. Yeagle
Department Office: Room 104, Biology/Physics Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

200. Human Genetics

Either semester. Three credits. Two lectures and one problem session. Prerequisite: BIOL 107. Open to sophomores or higher. Nelson, Townsend

Principles of genetics as applied to humans. Focus on modern methods of molecular genetics.

201. Gene Expression

Second semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: MCB 200 or 210 or 229. Open to sophomores or higher. Hightower

Basic mechanisms of genetic information transfer in eukaryotic cells from DNA to folded and assembled proteins. Regulation of transcription, translation, DNA replication, and the cell cycle.

203. Introduction to Biochemistry

Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: CHEM 141 or 244. (CHEM 244 may also be corequisite.) Open to sophomores or higher. Not open for credit to students who have passed MCB 204. 

The structure, chemistry, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Enzyme function and kinetics, energy metabolism, and structure and function of nucleic acids. A survey course for students of agriculture, general biology, medical technology, nursing, and pharmacy. Molecular and Cell Biology majors, biophysics majors, and other students desiring a more intensive introduction or considering advanced course work in biochemistry or molecular biology should take MCB 204. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

204. Biochemistry

First semester. Five credits. Four class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 244. Recommended preparation: MCB 210 or MCB 229. Not open for credit to students who have passed MCB 203. Cole, Reiter

The structure and function of biological macromolecules. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids. The regulation of metabolism and biosynthesis of biological macromolecules. An in-depth introduction intended for students planning to take advanced course work in biochemistry, biophysics, or other areas of molecular biology. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

205. Human Metabolism and Disease

Second semester, alternate years. Two credits. Prerequisite: MCB 203 or 204, or consent of instructor. Albert

A thorough analysis of the inter-relationships of metabolic pathways in connection with human health and disease, including inherited metabolic diseases and the role of hormones in metabolic pathways.

206. Fundamentals of Strucutural Biology

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 or CHEM 128, or consent of instructor. Yeagle

An introduction to principles underlying the structure and function of the molecules guiding life processes. These principles will be applied to proteins, DNA/RNA and membranes as well as to the energetics of life processes.

207. Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 243; MATH 114 or 116; PHYS 122, 132 or 142; or consent of instructor. 

Energetics and kinetics of metabolic reactions. Interactions of electromagnetic radiation and biological macromolecules. Formation and energetics of supramolecular structures. The basis of selected techniques of molecular biology, such as DNA hybridization, radioimmune assays. DNA melting and thermal transitions in polymers, thermodynamics, analysis of reactions, binding theory, cooperative interactions.

208. Techniques of Biophysical Chemistry

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MCB 207, or CHEM 263, or consent of instructor. 

The characterization of biological macromolecules (i.e. proteins and nucleic acids) in solution is important to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This course deals with hydrodynamic techniques (i.e. diffusion, electrophoresis, sedimentation, light scattering, and viscosity) for molecular size and shape, and spectroscopic methods (such as circular dichroism) for more detailed structure.

209. Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: MCB 204 or 203 or instructor consent. Alexandrescu, Cole

Correlation of three-dimensional molecular architecture with biochemical function in proteins, nucleic acids, and large assemblies such as viruses and ribosomes. Folding motifs and domains; molecular ancestry/homology; molecular recognition at the atomic level, as in DNA/protein complexes; structural basis of enzyme specificity and catalysis. Structure prediction from sequence; principles of structure determination by x-ray diffraction, NMR and CD spectroscopies, and electron microscopy. 

210. Cell Biology

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107. This course is intended to be taken before MCB 203 or 204 (Biochemistry). Open to sophomores or higher. Knecht/Lee

Structural organization of cells and the molecular basis of dynamic cellular processes, with emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include protein targeting, vesicle trafficking, cytoskeleton, cell-cell interactions in tissues, and the molecular basis of related human diseases.

211. Basic Immunology

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107. Recommended preparation: MCB 210. Lynes

An introduction to the genetic, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms of the immune system. This course will address basic aspects of immune function, and will examine abnormal immune function associated with cancer, autoimmune disease, AIDS, and other immunological abnormalities.

212. Genetic Engineering and Functional Genomics

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MCB 200 or 213. Recommended preparation: MCB 204 or 203. R. O'Neill

Methods and applications of genetic engineering, including gene manipulation and transfer techniques in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Emphasis on applications of recombinant DNA technology in the elucidation of gene function. Consideration of recent technological developments in molecular genetics, such as cloning, gene therapy, the patenting and release of genetically engineered organisms, and societal issues related to these developments.

213. Concepts of Genetic Analysis

Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and 2-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 108 or 110, or MCB 200 or equivalent, and CHEM 128. Open to sophomores or higher. Zhang

Survey of genetic theory and applications of genetic analysis. Model genetic systems in animals, plants, and microbes. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

214. Experiments in DNA Identification

Second semester. Two credits. One fifty minute lecture period and one three hour laboratory session. Prerequisite:  MCB 200 or 213 . O'Neill

An introductory laboratory course in principles and techniques of DNA manipulation and identification. Course simulates independent research, using modern molecular genetics techniques. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

215. Experiments in Molecular Genetics

First semester. Three credits. One 1-hour lecture and two 3-hour laboratory periods. Open only with consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: MCB 204, MCB 212 or 217. Not open for credit to students who have passed MCB 230. Reiter

Modern methods in molecular genetics arranged to meet a research goal. Use of polymerase chain reaction, bacteriophage library screening, molecular cloning, nucleic acid hybridizations, and DNA sequence determinations to isolate and characterize a eukaryotic gene. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

217. Molecular Biology and Genetics of Prokaryotes

First semester. Four credits. Three lecture periods and one 2-hour discussion. Prerequisite: MCB 229. Noll

Molecular genetics of bacteria, archaebacteria, and their viruses. Transcription and replication of DNA, transformation, transduction, conjugation, genetic mapping, mutagenesis, regulation of gene expression, genome organization.

218. Heredity and Society

First semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher. May not be counted toward the biological sciences major or molecular and cell biology major or the molecular and cell biology minor. Strausbaugh

The principles of heredity and their implications for society.

219. Developmental Biology

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107. Recommended preparation: MCB 210 and 213 or 200, which may be taken concurrently. Krider

Principles of embryogenesis, pattern formation, and cell differentiation. The focus will be on molecular and cellular aspects of development in several experimental systems, including the mouse, nematode, fruit fly, and frog.

220. Laboratory in Developmental Biology

Second semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods and a discussion/recitation period. Prerequisite or corequisite: MCB 219, or six credits of college biology and consent of instructor. Not open for credit to students who have passed MCB 223. 

Analysis of principles of morphogenesis and differentiation.

221. Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics

First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: At least one 200 level course in MCB. Open to sophomores or higher. Gogarten

Evolution of biomolecules, and application to molecular data analysis and the design of new molecules. Topics include prebiotic chemistry, origin of cells, selfish genes, molecular innovations, data bank searches, alignment of sequence and 3-D protein structures. Course includes lectures, discussions and computer lab exercises.

222W. Human Disease and the Development of Therapeutic Agents

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: One 200 level course in MCB. Kendall

Molecular basis of human disease and strategies for developing therapeutic treatments. Applications of genetic, cellular, and biochemical information in treating disease states. Especially appropriate for students interested in biomedical research and the health profession.

224. Experiments in Bacterial Genetics

Second semester. Three credits. Two 3 1/2 hour laboratory/lecture periods. Prerequisite: MCB 213.  Prerequisite or corequisite: MCB 217 or 229 . Open only with consent of instructor. 

Experiments in bacterial genetics, emphasizing genetic manipulations using modern techniques for mutant isolation, DNA characterization and cloning. These include the use of transposons, DNA isolation, restriction analysis, gel electrophoresis, PCR and DNA sequencing.

225W. Advanced Cell Biology Laboratory

First semester. Four credits. One 1-hour lecture and two 4-hour laboratories. Prerequisite or corequisite: MCB 210. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to honors students. Open to non-honors students with instructor consent. Open to sophomores or higher. Knecht

Theory and experimental techniques of modern cell biology, emphasizing the visualization of living eukaryotic cells using the light microscope and digital imaging techniques. Students will learn cell culture, immunostaining, fluorescence localization, confocal microscopy, time-lapse video microscopy, DNA mediated transformation and other techniques, and then pursue independent projects.

226W. Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory

Second semester. Four credits. One 1-hour lecture and two 4-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: Either MCB 204, or MCB 203 with consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Teschke

Theory and application of modern techniques for separation and characterization of biological macromolecules, including several types of liquid chromatography, liquid scintillation spectro-photometry, and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Instruction in writing a scientific paper. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

229. Fundamentals of Microbiology

Either semester. Four credits. Three lecture periods and one 2-1/2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 141 or 243. Recommended preparation: BIOL 107 or equivalent. Open to sophomores or higher. Gage, Terry, Vinopal

Biology of microorganisms, especially bacteria. Cellular structure, physiology, genetics, and interactions with higher forms of life. Laboratory familiarizes students with methodology of microbiology and aseptic techniques. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

232C. Microcomputer Applications in Molecular and Cell Biology

First semester. Three credits. One 1-hour lecture and two 3-hour laboratories. Recommended preparation: MCB 200 or 204 or 210 or 213 or 229. 

Introduction to the use of microcomputers in molecular biology, emphasizing commercially available applications software, both general (spreadsheet, word processing, database, graphics) and specialized (DNA and protein sequence database manipulation, molecular modeling, data acquisition, others).

233. Pathogenic Microbiology

Second semester. Four credits. Two class periods and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: MCB 229. Recommended preparation: MCB 204 (or 203). 

A detailed study of microbial genera, emphasizing species which are important in diseases of man and animals and which have special public health significance. Diagnostic methods include some standard serological procedures.

235. Applied Microbiology

Second semester. Four credits. Two class periods and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: MCB 229. Recommended preparation: MCB 204 (or 203). Benson

A study of the biology, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms useful in industry, agriculture, and selected environmental processes. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

236. Marine Microbiology

(Also offered as MARN 236.) First semester (Avery Point) second semester (Storrs). Three credits. Two lecture-discussion class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period for which field trips may be substituted. Prerequisite: MCB 229, or consent of instructor. 

A general survey of the taxonomy, physiology, and ecology of marine microorganisms.

240W. Bacterial Diversity and Ecology

First semester. Four credits. Two lecture periods and two 3-hour laboratory/discussion periods. Prerequisite: MCB 229 or consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: MCB 204 or 203. Leadbetter

A study of the ecophysiology of diverse bacterial types with particular emphasis on the activities of bacteria in situ. Investigative laboratory includes individual projects. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

241W. Research Literature in Molecular and Cell Biology

Second semester. Three credits. Open only with consent of instructor. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: one 200 level course in MCB. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Leadbetter

Discussion of current research in molecular and cell biology.

246. Virology

Second semester. Three credits. Three lecture periods. Prerequisite: MCB 229. Recommended preparation: MCB 204 or 210. Marcus

Biological, biochemical, physical, and genetic characteristics of viruses, with an emphasis on molecular and quantitative aspects of virus-cell interactions.

289. Variable Topics

Either semester. Three credits. With a change of topic, may be repeated for credit. Prequisites and recommended preparation vary.

290. Forensic Application of DNA Science

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MCB 200 or 213. Strausbaugh

DNA analysis in forensic science, with emphasis on molecular genetic technology in criminal investigations and issues surrounding the use of DNA evidence. Team-taught with forensic practitioners.

292W. Senior Research Thesis in Molecular and Cell Biology

Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three credits of MCB 299, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open only with consent of instructor and department honors commitee. Not limited to honors students. 

Designed for the advanced undergraduate who is pursuing a special problem as an introduction to independent investigation. Research and writing of a thesis.

297. Undergraduate Seminar

Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.

298. Special Topics

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

299. Independent Study

Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with change in topic. 

Designed for the advanced undergraduate student who is pursuing a special problem as an introduction to independent investigation.