The approach taken in this course will be to investigate the process of gene discovery by first cloning a “gene-of-interest” through a conventional ligation procedure into a “shuttle” vector, a newer technology that utilizes site-specific recombination rather than conventional ligation to readily “shuttle” a gene of interest into a variety of vectors for such down-stream applications as constitutive expression in a mammalian cell line to stable insect expression.  Gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation and propagation, plasmid isolation, and DNA restriction-mapping will all be utilized in this approach.  The expression of this gene of interest will then be investigated on the level of protein and RNA by Western blot analysis and Northern blot analysis.  The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the step-by-step process of gene discovery while developing adept technique in the application of several basic procedures commonly used in biotechnology research in both academic and industrial settings.  Students will maintain a scientific notebook, learn to apply experimental design, develop critical thinking skills in the critique of journal articles, use computer databases and be trained in mammalian cell culture, animal handling and receive certification for the handling of radioactivity.