9452336 Hopkins Laboratory experiences in molecular and cellular biology are enhanced by the introduction of new experiments and by making existing experiments available to larger numbers of students. These experiences benefit biology and chemistry majors as well as science education and nursing students. Opportunities are created for students to gain practical experience in techniques used in research, diagnostics, and genetic testing. Students undertake the large-scale production, isolation, and purification of DNA and proteins from microorganisms and eukaryotic cells by using a fermentor, high-speed centrifuge, and homogenizer, and they characterize these molecules by polyacrylamide and agarose gel electrophoresis. The students also explore technologies of molecular probing by fluorescence microscopy and Southern and Western blotting with nonradioactive probes.
