20.109(F08)

Fall 2008

Instructors: Angela Belcher, Bevin Engelward, Natalie Kuldell and Agi Stachowiak
Writing Instructor: Neal Lerner, Mya Poe
Oral Presentation Instructor: Atissa Banuazizi
Graduate TAs: Luis Alvarez, Brian Belmont, Michelle Sukup Jackson,

Lecture: T/R 11-12 (66-168)
Lab: T/R 1-5 or W/F 1-5 (56-322)
Seminar Room: 16-336

Welcome to 20.109! For many of you this will be the first time in a research lab and for others it will not, but it is our goal to make this class a useful and fun introduction to experiments and techniques in biological engineering. There is not time enough to show you everything you’ll need to know if you go on to do research, but after taking this class you should feel confident and familiar with some fundamental experimental approaches and lab protocols. You will develop good habits at the bench, ones that will increase the likelihood of success in your work and ensure the health and safety of you and those around you. By the end of the semester, you should also be aware of good scientific practice, having had some experience with report writing, notebook keeping and publicly presenting your data. All of us involved in teaching 20.109 hope you will find it a satisfying challenge and an exciting experience that has lasting value.

Announcements

• A sample gel has been posted to the Talk page of Module1 Day6 to use if your own results were disappointing. Remember you must present your own results AND the ones that are posted if you use them in your report.

• A few folks have asked about what to do if your own data doesn't match the expected outcomes for the cloning section of Module 1. We've added a note to the write-up description to clarify. The bottom line is that you should write up your own results and then also include the figures from the "talk" pages to show your understanding of what things were expected.

• Images for M1D3 Tuesday lab are now posted here

• First day of lecture and lab is Thursday Sept 4th. No lab SEPT 3!

• You can find the latest changes to the 20.109 wiki at Recent changes for 20.109

• You can find old announcements here