Biotechnology has been revolutionized by the techniques of genetic engineering which are used to design new proteins, produce drugs, and investigate disease mechanisms. Engineers use this technology to modify living cells of plants, bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells so that they produce important biomedical products such as human insulin and cancer drugs. In this course, students will learn some of the fundamentals of molecular biology and have the opportunity to carry out molecular cloning experiments in the lab. A group research proposal on a current problem in biotechnology provides the students with an opportunity to investigate a particular research area in depth. Students also attend a journal club to discuss recent journal articles and hear Penn faculty discuss current research in areas related to biotechnology.
Eligible students should have at least 1 year’s coursework in Biology and Chemistry. AP Biology experience is a plus but not a pre-requisite.