The philosophy behind the lab is that it is a time for students to find their own way as a group to solving scientific questions. This gives them experience, often for the first time, of leaving the generalities of texts and reviews for the detailed understanding required to conceive and perform an experiment. Also, since the experiments draw heavily on papers discussed in class, the experience deepens their understanding of the issues central to the course.
In two cases, the class as a whole will be given a problem to solve, one that can be addressed in one or two lab periods. In the remaining two cases, the problems will be more general, requiring multiple experiments and much of the semester for a satisfying resolution.
Lab 1: Identification of mystery strains of Myxococcus xanthus
The class will be given eight unknown strains of Myxococcus xanthus, and one known strain (DK101). The task will be to identify for each strain whether it is defective in one of the five known signaling systems and, if so, which one.
Notes on signal system characteristics, compiled from reports by Carrie Pogany (A-signal), Julie Rumble (B-signal), Karen Lewis (C-signal), Jeff Elhai (D-signal), and KT Young (E-signal)
Lab 2: How does Anabaena PCC 7120 respond to starvation for specific amino acids?
The class will be given an auxotrophic strain of Anabaena unable to synthesize arginine. The task will be to assess the response of the strain to starvation for arginine and the response of wild-type Anabaena to starvation for other amino acids achieved through metabolic poisons.
Lab 3: Semester Lab Project
Experiments designed to test whether Anabaena senses nitrogen-starvation through guanosine polyphosphate.
Lab 4: Semester Genomics Project
Survey of one of four pet organisms (Anabaena PCC 7120, Bacillus subtilis, Caulobacter crescentus, Myxococcus xanthus). What can be deduced from the literature and genomic sequences regarding the regulatory strategies available to control differentiation? Click here for description of final write-up.