The Biology Department is introducing more hands-on cellular and molecular biology into laboratory classes, and adding a new course in Advanced Methods in Cell Biology. Experiments include isolation of organelles, bioassays for enzymes and nucleic acids, restriction enzyme analysis of plasmid DNA, growth of microorganisms under controlled conditions, and fluorescence labelling of subcellular components in embryos and cultured cells. To undertake these experiments, the college is purchasing a refrigerated high speed centrifuge, ultrasonic cell disrupter, UV spectrophotometer, analytical balance, pH meter, shaking water bath, laminar flow hoods, and inverted phase and fluorescence microscopes. Students are exposed to new exciting laboratory work in classes in cell biology, microbiology, developmental biology, and medical microbiology, in addition to the new course. More opportunities are also available for student research projects utilizing modern molecular and microscopic methods. The university will contribute an amount equal to the award.
