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If you are motivated and interested in cell biology, molecular genetics or plant biology please contact Nick to inquire about research opportunities beginning Fall 2009.

A corpse comes to life

Check out the time lapse of a titan arum flowering that Nick made.

Bio119: Genomics and Systems Biology - Fall 2009

A new seminar exploring modern approaches to biology will be offered Fall 2009. See the the course description for more information.

Teaching

Biology 25 - Plant Biology

This course is an exploration of the diverse field of plant biology. Topics include growth and development, reproduction, genetics and genome biology, evolution and diversity, physiology, responses to pathogens and environmental stimuli, domestication, agriculture, and applications of plant genetic modification. Laboratories introduce organismal, cellular, molecular, and genetic approaches to understanding plant biology. This course is taught every spring.

Biology 115 - Plant Molecular Genetics

In 2007 this seminar focused on plant biotechnology. We investigated the technological approaches that plant scientists are using to address environmental, agricultural, and health issues. Topics included biofuels, nutritional engineering, engineering disease and stress resistance, bioremediation, and the production of pharmaceuticals in plants (Bio115 2007 reading list).

In 2006 we focused on the molecular mechanisms of auxin transport and signal transduction and the roles that auxin plays in plant development (Bio 115 2006 syllabus and reading list).

Biology 119 - Genomics and Systems Biology

Fundamental questions in biology are being answered using revolutionary new technologies including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, systems biology, modeling, and large scale protein and genetic interaction screens. These approaches have fundamentally changed how scientists investigate biological problems and allow us to ask questions about cells, organisms and evolution that were impossible to address even five years ago. Readings will include animal, plant, fungal, and bacterial literature. Laboratory projects will incorporate genomic and molecular approaches.

Click here for the 2009 Biology 119 syllabus

Biology 1 - Cellular and Molecular Biology

This team taught course is an introduction to the study of living systems illustrated by examples drawn from cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, and developmental biology. This course is taught every fall and includes one laboratory period per week.