This year, the iGEM UANL team decided to establish
an introductory course called 'Mathematical Modeling
in Systems Biology', with the idea of preparing our
faculty students in the mathematical area of biology.
This course is made up of three phases, each one
demanding a different knowledge level.
Phase I Has the intention of teaching the students
theoretical and applicable aspects of differential
and integral calculus as a fundamental part in
solving and distinguishing differential equations.
Phase II Was designed with the aim of making the
students able to understand the applications of
linear transformation of vector spaces for the
solution of differential equations that can be
applied in systems biology.
Phase III. The objective of this part of the course
is that students come to understand the general concepts
of systems biology and become familiar with its theoretical
basis, having as purpose increasing the student's critical awareness on this area.
1: DNA
Topics: -Miau Miau Miau.
2: Genes
Topics: -Genes as functional units of DNA -Organization and parts of a genes -How do the genes work? -Central dogma of molecular biology.
Activity: Puzzle with multiple options to explain gene function through the central Dogma. -Use of common examples.
3: Proteins
Topics: -Proteins as carriers of most biological processes -Types of proteins -Examples of common proteins -The genetic code
Activity: Build a protein from DNA code (translation), Protein models.
4: Genetic Engineering
Topics: -Recombinant DNA technology -Restriction enzymes, ligase and vectors -Examples.
Activity: Build a recombinant DNA molecule with colored cables and transform a cell.
5: Synthetic Biology
Topics: -Universality, modularity and abstraction of bioparts -Synbio as the application of engineering concepts to biology -Advancements in DNA synthesis and sequencing technologies.
Activity: Construct a genetic circuit on a board and estimate time and costs to build it.
6: Biobricks
Topics: -BioBricks as standard DNA parts - Parts of a BioBrick - Types of BioBricks. -Biobrick assembly -The Registry of Standard Biological Parts
Activity: Put compatible bricks together.
7: Biological machine
Topics: -Imagine the possibilities -Addressing high impact problems through biomachines. -Metabolic load -Advantages of biomachines over robots.
Activity: "Labyrinth of metabolism" so that the visitor knows that "parts" must be manipulated to make a organism perform certain function.
8: Applications of SynBio
Topics: -Impact of SynBio in a wide variety of areas - Examples of issues solved through SynBio (How do these projects work?)
Activity: The visitor must correlate a specific genetic circuit to its application area.
9: iGEM
Topics: iGEM as the biggest synthetic biology competition, rules, motivation, scope. - iGEM UANL 2011 and 2012 -CIDEB-UANL 2012
Activity: -Explain our 2011 project -Exhibition of the light-machine used in our project -Explain CIDEB's 2012 project
10: Ethics and Biosafety
Topics: -Ethics definition -Human quality of life -Good and ugly -Impact awareness -Acceptance of SynBio -Potential problems -Precautions taken to prevent them -Biosafety levels
Activity: Dress with biosafety equipment (lab coat, glasses, gloves…) as fast as possible!
This program is based on the UNAM Genomic Sciences
career's syllabus, which is an internationally-recognised
career by many other universities and prestigious investigation centers in the world.
The first phase of the course was successfully imparted
along June and July of this year by M.Sc. Jesús Botello González, professor of the Chemistry School
of our University (UANL). It had a duration of 6 weeks
and took place in our faculty; approximately 40 students
enrolled this course.
M.Sc. Botello will impart phase II as well, but the program has still to be dated.
We think this course is a great step toward the learning
of advanced knowledge in the field of molecular biology
and genomics that has to be made use of, and it is really
important for the UANL students, so that we are
well-educated in this field.
"
