Course

How To Grow (Almost) Anything

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Joseph M. Jacobson, Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences
George Church, Former Visiting Professor
David S. Kong, Director, Community Biotechnology Initiative; Research Scientist
MAS S66
15 Units
Thursdays 2:30-5:30pm
E15-359

Description

Building upon the tradition of ‘How to Make (Almost) Anything,’ we are offering, for the first time, ‘How to Grow (Almost) Anything,’ a course to teach experienced bio-enthusiasts and those new to the life sciences alike skills at the cutting edge of bioengineering and synthetic biology. 

The course consists of three major modules: (I) synthetic biology bootcamp; (ii) biofabrication and imaging; and (iii) genome engineering. Each week will feature a lecture from an expert in their respective domains and hands-on wet lab skills development, with topics including:

  • Bio Design
  • Next Generation Synthesis
  • Bio Production
  • Protein Design
  • Synthetic Minimal Cells
  • Engineering the Gut Microbiome
  • 3D Bio Printing & Biofabrication
  • Expansion Microscopy
  • DNA Nanostructures
  • …and more!

Class Size

15 students

Prerequisites

Permission of the instructor.  While experience with biology or biotechnology is not required, we aim to curate a group of diverse students that, collectively, have wet lab experience, hardware and making experience (e.g., having taken 'How to Make (Almost) Anything'), and other creative or technical experience (e.g., design, art).

All prospective students must submit an application for the course found here.

Lab

  • 68-089 (8 lab benches, common equipment, BL2 tissue culture)

Grading

  • 80% weekly assignments and class participation
  • 20% final project (done in group)
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