BIOL 370: Molecular Biology

This course examines the molecular mechanisms that mediate the flow of genetic information in the cell, focusing on the broad areas of DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein translation. The regulation of gene expression will be studies at multiple levels, including transcriptional, epigenetic, and post-transcriptional regulation. Specific topics will include DNA and chromosome packaging, histone modifications, DNA damage and repair, RNA processing, regulation by non-coding RNAs and post-translational processing. The methodologies used to investigate these phenomena will be emphasized, as will key experiments that have led to our current understanding of the field. The laboratory component will emphasize research techniques in the field.