Biotechnician 1A: Introduction
Biotecnólogo en Biotecnología
Unidades del curso de orientación profesional
Unit 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
What do cloned pets, cancer-seeking nanorobots, drug-producing produce, spider goats, lab-grown organs, meatless meat, and explosive-eating microbes all have in common? They are all produced through biotechnology! You will be amazed at all the ways that biotechnology has impacted your life and the world around you. Let’s take some time to learn what biotechnology is, how it developed, and where it might take us in the future. After considering an overview of the many fields and careers available in biotechnology, you’ll be able to make some informed choices about which area interests you most.
Unit 2: Biotechnology Laboratory Safety
What do virus hunters, biological weapons manufacturers, and biotechnicians all have in common? Unfortunately, they share the risk of potentially contracting a deadly disease when they go to work. Sound scary? Well, if you are well trained and commit to following proper laboratory safety guidelines and regulations, working in a biological laboratory -even one with harmful or deadly organisms – should be perfectly safe. So, what are important safety guidelines, regulations, practices, and procedures you need to know? Let’s jump in and find out.
Unit 3: Biosafety & Sterility
Pathogens, disease, germs, bugs, microorganisms, viruses, fungus, bacteria . . . no matter what you call these organisms, biotechnologists work with them, study them, and even try to prevent them from contaminating their experiments. How do they do this safely? How can they mitigate the harm microorganisms can cause in research? Following important protocols and techniques while performing their work is key. But, what protocols and techniques must they follow? Here, we’ll take a closer look to find out.
Unit 4: Biotechnology by the Numbers
How big, or rather small, is biotechnology? How big is a strand of DNA, an enzyme, or an antibody? How do you work with the raw materials of biotechnology at such a small scale? Here, you will learn how to use the standard equipment and units found in nearly every biotechnology-based laboratory; you will also be able to perform important calculations and accurately use that equipment when you step into a research laboratory for the first time.
Unit 5: The Molecule of Life
Think for a moment about all the different types of life that exist on our planet. It might be surprising to know that the basic blueprint for this life is found in a tiny molecule, DNA. Here, you will learn how mankind discovered DNA, how it is structured, and how this new knowledge was applied in science. You’ll get a chance to zero in on this amazing molecule, learning how to identify some of the specific information it uncovers.
Unit 6: Gene Expression
Our bodies must constantly respond to changing conditions. Something as simple as eating a meal poses a potentially dangerous condition if blood glucose concentrations are not returned to normal shortly thereafter with the help of the protein, insulin. In fact, proteins are involved in nearly every cell process in the body. They give us our traits, serve as a source of energy, perform cellular repair, form blood cells, allow for healthy growth and development, and even play a role in our immune system. Here, we’ll learn how proteins are made by the cell, the structure and function of these proteins, and how scientists study and use them in research.
Unit 7: Genomics & Precision Medicine
Are you interested in the past? Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from? How about the future? Do you wonder if you will live for 100 years or develop a fatal disease right in the prime of your life? The answers to some of these questions can be found within your own DNA. Once scientists discovered the important function of DNA, they set about dissecting and decoding it. What could this hidden cache of information reveal to us? How could we use the information to understand our own health and improve the way we treat disease? Let’s find out.
Unit 8: Experimental Design
Experimental design is at the heart of all scientific disciplines. The field of biotechnology has made so many advancements and great strides due to scientists asking important questions, setting up sound experimental designs to test their questions, and making sense of the data they collect. Here, you will learn about and practice the scientific method as you ask and use bioinformatics to answer a meaningful question related to DNA barcoding technology.