BIOS742/BIOL691
“BIOTECHNOLOGY”
Tuesdays
07:20 PM – 10: 00 PM
Fairfax: Thompson Hall 1018
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
e-mail:
Ancha Baranova, Ph.D.
SSB Suits, 3rd floor, Occoquan Building (Monday)
Mondays 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
(571) 334-1145 (cell)
abaranov@gmu.edu
Reading: “Molecular Biotechnology” by Glick and Pasternak (3rd edition)
In addition to lecture material, every student will prepare a “Trend in biotechnology” review paper
with concentration on a certain topic, write topical Trend summary (4 pages) and discuss the material
summarized in this trend review to other students in form of Q and A session. The trend review would
be based on the materials available at “Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology” magazine and other
sources. Trend reviews will be distributed to all students for the study and will be a part of the Final
exam.
Syllabus: This 3 credit course is a review of theoretical and applied biotechnology. Course topics
include recombinant DNA, design of expression constructs, techniques of protein purification,
production of aminoacids and other chemicals in bacteria, fermentation, waste processing and
bioremediation, transgenic plants and animals, therapeutic biologicals including monoclonal antibodies,
industrial use of transgenic animals, xenotransplantation and tissue engineering.
Important: Schedule is approximate. Topic list will be followed, but how fast we will go, will depend
on the class progress.
August 26
September 2nd
September 9
September 16
September 23
September 30
Biotechnology I (Recombinant DNA. Need to knows)
Biotechnology II (Hybridization. PCR. Sequencing. Need to knows)
Biotechnology II (Hybridization. PCR. Sequencing. Need to knows).
Continued
Guest lecturer: Dr.Rajasimha (NextGen sequencing).
Protein expression in prokaryotes I
Protein expression in prokaryotes II; bioreactors; fermentation;
bioprocessing of waste
Guest lecturer: Dr.Baabi Das (Biosensors).
MID-TERM EXAM I.
October 7
October 13
October 21
October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18
November 25
December 2nd
December 9th
December 16th
Industrial microbiology: ethanol, aminoacids and other valuable
chemicals
Industrial microbiology: ethanol, aminoacids and other valuable
chemicals. Trend reviews are sent to Dr.Baranova
Class does not meet
Students distribute Trend Reviews to every member of the class.
Protein Expression in eukaryotes: yeasts, insect cells, mammalian
Transgenic plants I.
MID-TERM EXAM II. Transgenic plants II. Monoclonal antibodies
and other biological. Students email Q&A questions to the class
Transgenic animals
Tissue engineering
Tissue engineering
Trend Reviews Q and A session.
Reading day
FINAL EXAM
GRADING:
Mid-term exam I
20%
Mid-term exam II
20%
Trend review summary write-up: 10%
Q and A session:
10%
Final exam:
40%
In-class discussions and teaching aid summary evaluations: 5% extra
Please Note: For Graduate Students, a passing grade in this course is a “B” or better.
Guidelines for Trend Review: (10% of the final grade)
Every student will write a biotechnology trend review with concentration on a certain topic (4
pages) and discuss trend review material at joint Q & A session.
Trend Review includes approx. 4 pages + cover page with your name, topic etc. When
writing, please keep in mind that this material is to be read by your classmates and shall cover the
topic in a form that makes easier to prepare for the final exam. In this light, use of the Tables,
Figures, and Bulleted Lists is encouraged. Important: Topics are selected by class members and
approved by teacher. Tpics are based on “Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology” magazine, but
students are encouraged to use other sources as well (with references). Re-use of the Dr. Baranova
lecture slides related to the topics is NOT encouraged.
After initial review by Dr. Baranova, Teaching Aid Summaries should be self-distributed
to every student in the class; the topics covered in Trend Reviews are subject of the Final Exam
Examples of the trends (other trends may be chosen, but has to be approved)
1) One-time use bioreactors and other disposable systems
2) High-content analysis
3) Glycosylated biologics
4) Directed evolution of enzymes
5) Combinatorial biosynthesis for drug development
6) Biodegradable nanoparticles
7) Biomass to fuels via microbial transformations
8) Engineered algae
9) Phytoremediation
10) Plants as bioreactors
Observance of the George Mason University Honor Code:

All students enrolled in this course will be subject to strict adherence to the GMU Honor Code
that both protects honest students and maintains the academic integrity and reputation of George
Mason University, and the value of the degree herein earned.

The Instructor is committed to the support of both personal honesty and refusal to tolerate in any
manner dishonesty in others in accordance with the University Honor Code. Students are
encouraged to report any suspected Honor Code violations to the Instructor and/or University
Honor Code Committee.