Cornell University Registrar

This course reviews material presented in BIOMG 1350 and provides problem-solving strategies and additional practice with material. BIOMG 1035 support is recommended for students who want to maximize their understanding of Cell and Developmental Biology and enhance their learning skills. BIOMG 1035 is not a substitute for BIOMG 1350.

Do you have allergies to milk or wheat? Curious about your family ancestry? Does a relative suffer from a genetic disease, and you wonder if you might also be at risk? How will medicine be impacted by DNA testing? How will your own future, your quality of life, your decisions regarding children be impacted? What are the ethical, legal, and social challenges we all face as this genetic technology becomes rapidly available to anyone with as little as $99 and a saliva sample? This course is not just for those interested in science, it is a topic we all need to have a basic understanding of to ensure we are prepared for what is rapidly becoming part of all of our futures. This course is suitable for life sciences majors.

Six professors discuss their research and promising new areas for research in the future.

The course introduces molecular mechanisms that underlie the organization, division, and growth of individual cells; how they organize during embryonic development to form functional tissues and organs in multicellular organisms; and how their misbehavior contributes to disease. Students seeking additional help with the material taught in BIOMG 1350 should consider the active learning supplemental class BIOMG 1035 (see course catalog for details). The learning outcomes below indicate the topics and skills that students should master upon completion of the course.

General introduction to the fundamental principles of genetics. Topics include transmission of genetic information, genetic linkage, recombination, mutations, and DNA structure and manipulation, as well as analysis of genomes in individuals and populations.

General introduction to laboratory experimental genetics. Topics include gene transmission, linkage, recombination, gene structure, mutations, and manipulation.

Thirteen units that cover protein structure and function, enzymes, basic metabolic pathways, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, and an introduction to recombinant DNA techniques. No formal lectures, auto-tutorial format.

The chemical reactions important to biology, and the enzymes that catalyze these reactions, are discussed in an integrated format. Topics include: protein folding, enzyme catalysis, bioenergetics, and key reactions of synthesis and catabolism.

Comprehensive course in molecular biology that covers the structure and properties of DNA, DNA replication and repair, synthesis and processing of RNA and proteins, the regulation of gene expression, and the principles and applications of recombinant DNA technologies, genomics, and proteomics.

Visualization of complex biomolecules using computer graphics techniques. Group presentations on current topics in molecular biology.

Comprehensive introduction to biologically important molecules and polymers. Topics include: protein structure and function, enzyme catalysis, metabolic regulatory pathways, DNA and RNA structure, DNA replication and repair, modern DNA technologies, gene expression, and protein synthesis.

An extension of BIOMG 2800 in which selected topics will be explored in greater depth. The course will not attempt to cover the breadth of Genetics and Genomics. Through readings, small class discussions, and problem solving, students will develop the background for understanding selected studies from the primary research literature, chiefly on model eukaryotic experimental organisms.

This course is primarily concerned with the causal basis of developmental events, mainly focusing on animal development. We will be learning how a fertilized egg becomes an animal. Topics covered will include embryonic organization, role of genes in development, inductive interactions, morphogenesis and pattern formation. Subject matter will include not only what we know about development but also how we learned it.The course is designed to introduce the principles of development at the organ, tissue, cell, and molecular level. Due to time limitations, however, it will not be possible to explore every topic. Advanced instruction in development can be obtained through the following courses: Stem Cell Biology (BIOMG 4450), Developmental Genetics (BIOMG 6870), as well as Development and Evolution (BIOMG 4610).

Introduction to principles underlying the organization of genomes and the methods of studying them, emphasizing genome-wide approaches to research. Covers the application of genomics technologies and methodologies for addressing issues including gene regulation, evolution, complex systems, genetics, and gene: phenotype relationships. Landmark and timely genomics papers and other research developments will be discussed. Basic bioinformatics tools will be incorporated.

Overview of current research in biophysics at Cornell by faculty from different departments across the university. Designed for undergraduates considering a career in biophysics and for graduate students interested in biophysics research opportunities at Cornell.

Students in this course will discover the complex behavior of proteins and how they impact biology. The course is divided into three different sections. The first section is a classic protein structure-function section incorporating advanced enzyme kinetics. The second section of this course will review how proteins evolve and how this can be practically analyzed. After the course's final section, students will be able to integrate the theory behind purifying and analyzing proteins with modern spectroscopy and microscopy techniques.

Survey of a wide array of topics focusing on the general properties of eukaryotic cells. Topics include methods used for studying cells, the structure and function of the major cellular organelles, and analyses of cellular processes such as mitosis, endocytosis, cell motility, secretion, cell-to-cell communication, gene expression, and oncogenesis. Some of the material is covered in greater depth in BIOMG 4370, BIOMG 4380, BIOMG 6360, and BIOMG 6390.

It is hypothesized that RNA may have been the earliest life form on earth. Nowadays RNA plays three vital roles in biology. It serves as an information carrier to guide biological processes; it adopts sophisticated 3D structures to promote recognition and catalysis; and it promotes cellular compartmentalization. Each of these properties has been exploited for therapeutics and medicine. This course explores the idea of a prehistorical RNA World, dives deep into interesting topics in the RNA biology, and explains their connection to modern medicine. Representative topics include the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas and RNA interference and their wide-spread applications in research and medicine, ribosome as an antibiotic target, perturbing splicing to cure genetic diseases, connection between telomerase and cancer/aging, etc. Classical experiments as well as up-to-date research are covered in this class. A portion of each class is devoted to student presentations and discussion. After completing this class, students should:

This course will examine how changes in the normal expression, structure, and activity of gene products caused by genetic mutations and environmental agents lead to disease in humans and other animals. The material will focus on how proteins with modified structures and biochemical activities cause alterations in normal cellular processes, as well as the physiological consequences of these changes. Topics will be selected from hormone insensitivity syndromes, gene fusions resulting in hybrid proteins, gene amplification, gene inactivation, disruption of signaling pathways, genetic variation in non-coding transcriptional regulatory elements, and the molecular actions of environmental poisons and toxins. The methods used to identify the underlying biochemical and genetic basis of diseases, as well as possible pharmaceutical and genetic therapies for treating the diseases, will be presented.

Students in this course will carry out experiments in protein biochemistry and molecular biology in an engaging laboratory environment. The protein biochemistry projects include protein purification (salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and immunoprecipitation), protein analysis (SDS PAGE, BN PAGE, immunoblotting, and activity assays), and determination of enzyme kinetic parameters (Vmax, KM, and kcat). The molecular biology projects include CRISPR-mediated genome editing, nucleic acid purifications (plasmid DNA and RNA), gene expression analysis (RT-PCR and splicing), agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction endonuclease digestion, PCR, DNA cloning, transformation, and DNA sequence analysis. The course is organized around interesting projects that illustrate how different techniques are uniquely suited to answer a scientific question.

This course will cover basic aspects of tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis with emphasis on embryonic and adult stem cell function and related clinical applications. The focus will be placed on mouse and human stem cells. The discussion will be structured around relevant research papers that allow more in-depth analysis of the material taught during lectures.

This course explores the molecular and genetic pathways and mechanisms that regulate animal development, and how they are modified through evolution to result in the dazzling array of forms and functions seen in the animal kingdom. The recent and exciting combining of developmental biology with evolutionary perspectives has prompted rethinking of many biological concepts. We will explore these in detail by considering the results and implications of the latest EvoDevo research.

Genetic methods including CRISPR-based genome editing provide elegant tools with which to dissect the pathways that mediate cell function, the development of multicellular organisms, and other processes. This course examines these approaches, illustrated with examples showing how they have been used to address important biological problems, including time, place, and nature of gene/pathway action. We focus primarily (but not exclusively) on multicellular organisms, including fruit flies, nematodes, and mice. Lectures, class discussion, and problem sets are based on important papers in the current and classical scientific literature.

Population genetics is the study of the transmission of genetic variation through time and space. This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and methods in population genetics, with a focus on exploring how patterns of genetic variation are connected to the underlying evolutionary processes. Topics include genetic drift, mutation, coalescence theory, demography, population structure, selection, fitness, quantitative traits, selective sweeps, and adaptation at the molecular level. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between theory, computer simulations, and the analysis of genetic data from natural as well as experimental populations. We will also discuss efforts to connect genotype with phenotype and ultimately fitness. Specific case studies will include the evolution of drug resistance, genetic ancestry mapping, experimental evolution of microbes, and the genetic structure and demographic history of human populations.

Applies fundamental concepts of transmission, population, and molecular genetics to the problem of determining the degree to which familial clustering of diseases in humans has a genetic basis. Emphasizes the role of full genome knowledge in expediting this process of gene discovery. Stresses the role of statistical inference in interpreting genomic information. Population genetics, and the central role of understanding variation in the human genome in mediating variation in disease risk, are explored in depth. Methods such as homozygosity mapping, linkage disequilibrium mapping, and admixture mapping are examined. The format is a series of lectures with classroom discussion. Assignments include a series of problem sets and a term paper.

Cancer is a global health problem often associated with high mortality due to therapeutic resistance. Metastasis, uncontrolled growth, metabolic reprogramming and oncogenic alterations are major features of most cancers and contribute to poor survival outcome in patients. Late diagnosis, cancer disparity and limited understanding of how cancers arise are also problems. We are in a modern era of multi-omics technologies including genomics, proteomics, epigenetics, and metabolomics, which are enabling unprecedented insights into the biology of cancer. This course will provide an overview on the fundamentals of cancer biology such as cancer hallmarks, signal transduction, genetics/gene mutations, therapeutic concepts such as synthetic lethality, cancer models, research methods and data analytical tools. Further, the course will introduce metabolism and metabolomics techniques.

Designed to give qualified undergraduate students teaching experience through actual involvement in planning and assisting in biology courses. This experience may include supervised participation in a discussion group, assisting in a biology laboratory, assisting in field biology, or tutoring.

BIOMG 4981 offers training and experience for undergraduate teaching assistants in BIOMG 3300 (Introductory Biochemistry: Individualized Instruction). Teaching assistants are required to complete a weekly written assignment, attend a weekly two-hour TA training meeting and to spend six hours per week in the Biochemistry Study Center answering student questions, grading written quizzes, and administering oral quizzes. Teaching Assistants are evaluated based on the quality of written work submitted, observations at the weekly meetings and Study Center shifts, as well as on the mid-term and end-of-semester course evaluations.

BIOMG 4982 gives students who have successfully served as a BIOMG 3300 Teaching Assistant (as part of BIOMG 4981) a second opportunity at teaching the class and the added privilege of assisting the course instructor in leading and mentoring the incoming teaching assistant group. In addition to the required leadership responsibilities, students in BIOMG 4982 are required to review the material on a weekly basis and to spend six hours per week in the Biochemistry Study Center. Teaching Leaders are evaluated based on observations made during their Study Center shifts, as well as on the mid-term and end-of-semester course evaluations.

The course introduces molecular mechanisms that underlie the organization, division, and growth of individual cells; how they organize during embryonic development to form functional tissues and organs in multicellular organisms; and how their misbehavior contributes to disease. The learning outcomes below indicate the topics and skills that students should master upon completion of the course.

Introduction to principles underlying the organization of genomes and the methods of studying them, emphasizing genome-wide approaches to research. Covers the application of genomics technologies and methodologies for addressing issues including gene regulation, evolution, complex systems, genetics, and gene: phenotype relationships. Landmark and timely genomics papers and other research developments will be discussed. Basic bioinformatics tools will be incorporated.

Thirteen units that cover protein structure and function, enzymes, basic metabolic pathways, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, and an introduction to recombinant DNA techniques. No formal lectures, auto-tutorial format.

Students in this course will discover the complex behavior of proteins and how they impact biology. The course is divided into three different sections. The first section is a classic protein structure-function section incorporating advanced enzyme kinetics. The second section of this course will review how proteins evolve and how this can be practically analyzed. After the course's final section, students will be able to integrate the theory behind purifying and analyzing proteins with modern spectroscopy and microscopy techniques.

The chemical reactions important to biology, and the enzymes that catalyze these reactions, are discussed in an integrated format. Topics include: protein folding, enzyme catalysis, bioenergetics, and key reactions of synthesis and catabolism.

Overview of current research in biophysics at Cornell by faculty from different departments across the university. Designed for undergraduates considering a career in biophysics and for graduate students interested in biophysics research opportunities at Cornell.

This course will cover basic aspects of tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis with emphasis on embryonic and adult stem cell function and related clinical applications. The focus will be placed on mouse and human stem cells. The discussion will be structured around relevant research papers that allow more in-depth analysis of the material taught during lectures.

Comprehensive course in molecular biology that covers the structure and properties of DNA, DNA replication and repair, synthesis and processing of RNA and proteins, the regulation of gene expression, and the principles and applications of recombinant DNA technologies, genomics, and proteomics.

BIOMG 6330 covers selected aspects of the molecular biology and biochemistry of DNA metabolism. Topics include DNA replication, genetic recombination, DNA repair, DNA transposition, somatic hypermutation, and DNA editing technologies. Students will become familiar with this work by reading papers that include genetic, biochemical, structural, and computational biology approaches.

Comprehensive introduction to biologically important molecules and polymers. Topics include: protein structure and function, enzyme catalysis, metabolic regulatory pathways, DNA and RNA structure, DNA replication and repair, modern DNA technologies, gene expression, and protein synthesis.

This course will cover the fundamental concepts and biochemical mechanisms that contribute to the functional organization of eukaryotic cells as well as key experimental approaches in cell and molecular biology. The students are also expected to present how the major discoveries in cell biology were made and critically evaluate recent literature on cell biology.

It is hypothesized that RNA may have been the earliest life form on earth. Nowadays RNA plays three vital roles in biology. It serves as an information carrier to guide biological processes; it adopts sophisticated 3D structures to promote recognition and catalysis; and it promotes cellular compartmentalization. Each of these properties has been exploited for therapeutics and medicine. This course explores the idea of a prehistorical RNA World, dives deep into interesting topics in the RNA biology, and explains their connection to modern medicine. Representative topics include the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas and RNA interference and their wide-spread applications in research and medicine, ribosome as an antibiotic target, perturbing splicing to cure genetic diseases, connection between telomerase and cancer/aging, etc. Classical experiments as well as up-to-date research are covered in this class. A portion of each class is devoted to student presentations and discussion. After completing this class, students should:

Lectures on topics of eukaryotic genomics, chromatin structure, regulation of gene expression, RNA processing, micro-RNA regulation, the structure and movement of chromosomes, long range regulatory interactions, and nuclear export and import. Covers the structure and function of the nucleus at the molecular and cell biological levels.

This course will examine how changes in the normal expression, structure, and activity of gene products caused by genetic mutations and environmental agents lead to disease in humans and other animals. The material will focus on how proteins with modified structures and biochemical activities cause alterations in normal cellular processes, as well as the physiological consequences of these changes. Topics will be selected from hormone insensitivity syndromes, gene fusions resulting in hybrid proteins, gene amplification, gene inactivation, disruption of signaling pathways, genetic variation in non-coding transcriptional regulatory elements, and the molecular actions of environmental poisons and toxins. The methods used to identify the underlying biochemical and genetic basis of diseases, as well as possible pharmaceutical and genetic therapies for treating the diseases, will be presented.

Students in this course will carry out experiments in protein biochemistry and molecular biology in an engaging laboratory environment. The protein biochemistry projects include protein purification (salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and immunoprecipitation), protein analysis (SDS PAGE, BN PAGE, immunoblotting, and activity assays), and determination of enzyme kinetic parameters (Vmax, KM, and kcat). The molecular biology projects include CRISPR-mediated genome editing, nucleic acid purifications (plasmid DNA and RNA), gene expression analysis (RT-PCR and splicing), agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction endonuclease digestion, PCR, DNA cloning, transformation, and DNA sequence analysis. The course is organized around interesting projects that illustrate how different techniques are uniquely suited to answer a scientific question.

This course explores the molecular and genetic pathways and mechanisms that regulate animal development, and how they are modified through evolution to result in the dazzling array of forms and functions seen in the animal kingdom. The recent and exciting combining of developmental biology with evolutionary perspectives has prompted rethinking of many biological concepts. We will explore these in detail by considering the results and implications of the latest EvoDevo research.

Population genetics is the study of the transmission of genetic variation through time and space. This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and methods in population genetics, with a focus on exploring how patterns of genetic variation are connected to the underlying evolutionary processes. Topics include genetic drift, mutation, coalescence theory, demography, population structure, selection, fitness, quantitative traits, selective sweeps, and adaptation at the molecular level. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between theory, computer simulations, and the analysis of genetic data from natural as well as experimental populations. We will also discuss efforts to connect genotype with phenotype and ultimately fitness. Specific case studies will include the evolution of drug resistance, genetic ancestry mapping, experimental evolution of microbes, and the genetic structure and demographic history of human populations.

This course is primarily concerned with the causal basis of developmental events, mainly focusing on animal development. We will be learning how a fertilized egg becomes an animal. Topics covered will include embryonic organization, role of genes in development, inductive interactions, morphogenesis and pattern formation. Subject matter will include not only what we know about development but also how we learned it. The course is designed to introduce the principles of development at the organ, tissue, cell, and molecular level. Due to time limitations, however, it will not be possible to explore every topic. Advanced instruction in development can be obtained through the following courses: Stem Cell Biology (BIOMG 4450), Developmental Genetics (BIOMG 6870), as well as Development and Evolution (BIOMG 4610).

Genetic methods including CRISPR-based genome editing provide elegant tools with which to dissect the pathways that mediate cell function, the development of multicellular organisms, and other processes. This course examines these approaches, illustrated with examples showing how they have been used to address important biological problems, including time, place, and nature of gene/pathway action. We focus primarily (but not exclusively) on multicellular organisms, including fruit flies, nematodes, and mice. Lectures, class discussion, and problem sets are based on important papers in the current and classical scientific literature.

Applies fundamental concepts of transmission, population, and molecular genetics to the problem of determining the degree to which familial clustering of diseases in humans has a genetic basis. Emphasizes the role of full genome knowledge in expediting this process of gene discovery. Stresses the role of statistical inference in interpreting genomic information. Population genetics, and the central role of understanding variation in the human genome in mediating variation in disease risk, are explored in depth. Methods such as homozygosity mapping, linkage disequilibrium mapping, and admixture mapping are examined. The format is a series of lectures with classroom discussion. Assignments include a series of problem sets and a term paper.

Cancer is a global health problem often associated with high mortality due to therapeutic resistance. Metastasis, uncontrolled growth, metabolic reprogramming and oncogenic alterations are major features of most cancers and contribute to poor survival outcome in patients. Late diagnosis, cancer disparity and limited understanding of how cancers arise are also problems. We are in a modern era of multi-omics technologies including genomics, proteomics, epigenetics, and metabolomics, which are enabling unprecedented insights into the biology of cancer. This course will provide an overview on the fundamentals of cancer biology such as cancer hallmarks, signal transduction, genetics/gene mutations, therapeutic concepts such as synthetic lethality, cancer models, research methods and data analytical tools. Further, the course will introduce metabolism and metabolomics techniques.

This course is designed for graduate students in Graduate Fields of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology (BMCB) and Genetics, Genomics, and Development (GGD) who will serve as teaching assistants (TA) in undergraduate courses offered in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG). BMCB and GGD teaching assistants will take this course concurrently with their first TA assignment. The goal of the course is to provide teaching assistants with pedagogical skills in active learning, assessing student learning, leading discussions, grading, and best teaching practices for TA'ing MBG courses. Students will discuss their teaching experiences with their peers and gain feedback on their teaching effectiveness. An initial class meeting will help prepare students for the first day of class and provide tips for working with a teaching team. Throughout the semester, semi-weekly milestone meetings will focus on issues pertaining to graduate TAs, such as balancing research with teaching, interacting with students and course instructor, and special circumstances that may arise throughout the semester. Students will be encouraged to meet with their course instructor to gain feedback and to share their experiences with members of the course.

Ethical issues in research and the professional responsibilities of scientists are discussed based on readings and occasional lectures. The topics are intended to cover the requirements for ethical training of graduate students on training grants and follow the recommendations of the Office of Research Integrity.

This course will combine didactic lectures with student-led presentations and critical analysis of recent literature on topical issues in molecular biology and genetics.

Each graduate student presents one seminar per year based on his or her thesis research. The student then meets with the thesis committee members for an evaluation of the presentation.

Lectures and seminars on specialized topics. Topics for fall and spring to be announced in the course and time roster published at the beginning of each semester.

This seven-week course will provide graduate students in the life sciences with training in advanced science writing skills, preparing written scientific arguments, and providing constructive review of written material. At course completion, students will have completed a draft of the written portion of the A exam and will have received feedback on this draft from their classmates, senior graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in related fields. Enrolled students are expected to be in their second year of the Ph.D. program or higher and in the process of preparing for their A-exams. We highly encourage students to have performed a thorough literature review of their research topic prior to the course beginning. This course will be focused on the writing of an A-exam proposal, so prior completion of a literature review will give students the best chance of success at completing a full proposal draft by the end of the course.

Each student presents one seminar per year on his or her thesis research and then meets with instructors and thesis committee members for evaluation.

The course will focus on helping students successfully navigate the graduate experience, covering diverse topics relevant to the broader experience and realities of graduate school. Occasional guest lectures and panels will be included. Topics will include:1. Strategies and priorities in picking rotations, and selecting a thesis lab2. Work-life balance during graduate school; time-management3. Forging effective mentor-mentee relationships; selecting a thesis committee4. Navigating the scientific literature5. Scientific communication6. Scientific writing; publishing your research7. Funding and funding opportunities8. Data management9. Scientific and Research resources at Cornell10. Collaboration and Networking11. Career paths, and resources at CornellClasses will consist of lectures, discussion including breakout sessions and short format scientific presentations by students. There will be a single written assignment.

This is a tri-field course that is required of all second-year graduate students in the Fields of BMCB, GGD and Biophysics. The overall goal of this course is to help students develop scientific writing skills and to become familiar with the scientific peer review process, each of which will be achieved through active learning experiences. Students will learn to develop research ideas and communicate them effectively in the context of a written research proposal, using the format of an NSF Predoctoral Fellowship application.