iBiology Podcast

In Part 1 of this series, Dr. Howard Chang introduces epigenomics, the study of DNA regulatory mechanisms that determine which genes are turned on or off in cells at specific times. The epigenome integrates signals from the environment to modify expression of the DNA blueprint inherited from an individual’s parents. Chang’s lab has pioneered techniques to map the landscape of chromatin, the complex of DNA, RNA and protein that organizes the genome and regulates gene expression. One example is ATAC, the Assay of Transposase Accessible Chromatin, which uses a bacterial transposase to mark open chromatin and identify genes that are likely turned “on”.

Chow gives advice on purifying DNA samples using magnetic beads and on determining the quality of your nucleic acid sample using an Agilent Bioanalyzer.

Chow gives advice on purifying DNA samples using magnetic beads and on determining the quality of your nucleic acid sample using an Agilent Bioanalyzer.

In the past decade there has been an amazing change in the efficiency of DNA sequencing. Using traditional Sanger sequencing, the human genome project took 20 years and cost $3 billion. Current next generation sequencing methods allow a human genome to be sequenced for $1000, in 48 hours!  In this talk, Eric Chow explains the chemistry behind next generation sequencing, and describes how the next gen sequencers detect and display results. The most commonly used Illumina sequencers are image based and detect the addition of fluorescently labelled nucleotides. Chow also describes two different next generation sequencing technologies which provide benefits such as much longer reads but with downsides such as higher error rates. Chow finishes the talk with some insights into medical applications of next gen sequencing such as much less invasive prenatal testing or cancer detection.

Course Directors A. Malcolm Campbell, Kimberly Tanner, and Bill Wood talk about the reasons why we need to reform undergraduate biology education and why they got involved in the Scientific teaching Series project.

Before 1977, all life on Earth was classified into two groups: single-celled microorganisms and complex cellular life such as fungi, plants, and animals. A seminal discovery in 1977 rewrote the tree of life and introduced a whole new domain of organisms known as the archaea - mysterious microbes that are genetically distinct from bacteria. Fast forward to the 21st century, and again new discoveries about archaea are leading scientists to reshape the tree of life and rewrite the evolutionary history of complex organisms. Dr. Dipti Nayak introduces the fascinating organisms known as archaea and explains how they are helping scientists answer the question Where do we come from?.

What if we could understand the human cell in such detail that we could paint an accurate representation of a cell’s molecular organization? In this lecture, Dr. Manuel Leonetti outlines the different genome-wide approaches that scientists are using to build a complete map of the human cellular architecture. Understanding protein networks and localization could aid our quest to understand human biology and disease.

Michael Alley has been teaching scientists and engineers how to design presentation slides and deliver effective scientific talks for over three decades. In this three-part lecture, you will learn (a) how to design your PowerPoint or Keynote slides, (b) how to organize your talk, and (c) how to confidently deliver your research seminar. This series will help trainees and research scientists alike improve their presentation skills.

Michael Alley has been teaching scientists and engineers how to design presentation slides and deliver effective scientific talks for over three decades. In this three-part lecture, you will learn (a) how to design your PowerPoint or Keynote slides, (b) how to organize your talk, and (c) how to confidently deliver your research seminar. This series will help trainees and research scientists alike improve their presentation skills.

Michael Alley has been teaching scientists and engineers how to design presentation slides and deliver effective scientific talks for over three decades. In this three-part lecture, you will learn (a) how to design your PowerPoint or Keynote slides, (b) how to organize your talk, and (c) how to confidently deliver your research seminar. This series will help trainees and research scientists alike improve their presentation skills.