3.00 Credits
Course required for all students in the biotechnology program. This course develops advanced nucleic acid techniques. Includes site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing, and RNA analysis methods, and real-time PCR to quantitate DNA in samples. Incorporates methods to mutate 2 genes using CRISPR gene editing technology followed by RT-PCR to analyze gene expression (RNA isolation, creating cDNA, followed by real-time PCR). **Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1 Contrast DNA and RNA, their relative stabilities, and considerations when working with either molecule in vitro. 2. Outline the different DNA sequencing platforms and the technologies each is based on 3. Describe different methods for studying nucleic acids including PCR, quantitative PCR, RT-PCR, digital PCR, high-resolution melt curve analysis, and fragment analysis 4. Contrast various techniques used for the manipulation of genetic material, including site-directed mutagenesis, CRISPR, zinc-finger nuclease, and TALENS. Prerequisites: BTEC 2010. SP