Hugh A. Miller DUE 9551834 East Tennessee State Univ FY1995 $ 17,000 Johnson City, TN 376140121 ILI - IP Life Sciences Title: Undergraduate Cell Biology Lab - An Integrated Approach Biology majors are required to complete a course in the area of molecular/cellular biology. The Cell Biology course meets these requirements. Currently, the laboratory portion of this course is taught in small groups in a research lab utilizing limited equipment. A Cell Biology Teaching Lab has been identified; the purpose of this proposal is to remedy the equipment limitations. A thematic approach to studying cellular processes at the whole cell, organelle, & molecular levels is proposed. At the whole cell level students learn tissue culture techniques and localize organelles and proteins in-situ. Studies at the organelle level include isolation and identification of mitochondria. Isolation and characterization of mt DNA and proteins demonstrates analysis at the molecular level. Experiences in manipulating cellular responses and computer-assisted learning are planned. The equipment requested will allow 20-24 students to participate in these activities. This theme based, integrated lab experience is a departure from the traditional single-exercise approach. An added dimension is allowing students to develop tissue culture techniques, an increasingly important exposure in this age of animal rights concerns. This integrated approach will be reported in the literature as a major contribution to the field of cell biology laboratory instruction.
