Introduction to Laboratory Research in Cell and Molecular Biology

Use modern molecular approaches to characterize a particular tumor-associated mutation in the human p53 tumor suppressor gene via expression and analysis in a yeast model system. Learn about the role of p53 as Guardian of the Genome and consider novel p53-directed tumor therapies through lectures and by reading and discussing journal articles. Use molecular visualization programs to examine the structure of the normal p53 protein and localize the alteration induced by the mutation you are investigating. Assay the ability of mutant p53 to activate expression of multiple reporter genes. Through facilitated discussions with teams of other students studying the same p53 mutant, consider a series of molecular explanations for your p53 mutant's functional defects. Conduct lab experiments to test these hypotheses, analyze data, collaboratively interpret these data, and present your findings through a team oral presentation, as well as a scientific poster. Attendance at both the lecture and lab sections is mandatory, and students may only attend the lab section in which they are enrolled. Please contact Dr. Daria Hekmat-Scafe (dariahs@stanford.edu) if you have any questions about the class. Please note that enrollment is handled by Axess, so enrollment in one BIO45 lab section will not give a student any priority for subsequently enrolling in a different lab section.