Biology 110 Biological Exploration I
Fall 2010
Aug 30-Oct 22, 2010
Lecture: MWF (section 1) 10-11 am
(section 2) 11-12 am
Lab: MW 1-4 pm; T 10 am-1 pm; T 1:30-4:30 pm.
Instructors
Professor Karen Greif (lecture): x5092, office Park 118, kgreif@brynmawr.edu
Professor Wil Franklin (lab): x5090, office Park 210, wfrankli@brynmawr.edu
Tentative topics/schedule
Week of
Aug 30
Sep 6
Topics
Introduction
Life and immortality
Design a cell (Fri)
NO CLASS MONDAY-LABOR DAY
Biological molecules
Creating a cell line (Fri)
Reading in Skloot
Prologue (p1-9)
Ch 1-8
Ch 9-14
Sep 13
Cell biology
Cell biology (cont)
Metabolic pathways (Fri)
Ch 15-22
Sep 20
What is cancer?
Cancer biology (cont)
Cancer Physiology (Fri)
Ch 23-29
Sep 27
Oct 4
Oct 11
Oct 18
EXAM: concepts in cell biology
Research with HeLa cells
On-line research (Fri, start)
Ch 30-38
Responsible conduct of research
Afterward (p 315-328)
Human subject research
Design an informed consent form (Fri)
NO CLASSES-FALL BREAK
Group presentations: HeLa research areas
1
Coursework deadlines
1) In class exam: Sept 27.
2) Group presentation: topics due Oct 6 in class. On-line post of presentation due in class
on the day of presentation (week of Oct 18).
3) Informed consent written project due Oct 22, 5 pm.
Course overview
This introductory biology class will explore the science and bioethical issues associated
with the reading of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. This
book traces the family history and the biological impact of an African-American woman
whose cancer cells gave rise to the first “immortal” human cell line. Mrs. Lacks died in
1951 of cervical cancer; the cell line that bears her “name “(HeLa) has been used in tens
of thousands of research projects in a wide range of biological disciplines. Through
reading this book, the class will focus in a number of areas in biology, including cell
biology, biochemistry, and cancer biology. We also will grapple with difficult issues in
bioethics concerning responsible conduct of research and protection of human subjects.
This class differs from typical introductory classes in that students will take considerable
responsibility for their own learning in this class. In addition to reading the assigned
book, students are expected to find on-line resources (suggested sources are given below)
to enrich their understanding of biological concepts, investigate an application of HeLa
cells (including reading primary articles) and develop a research protocol involving
informed consent. Most Friday classes will involve group projects and/or discussions. A
blog will be established for the class to continue and expand on issues raised in class, and
participation by class members is required.
Laboratory: The lab for this class will complement the lecture portion of the class, in
areas of cell biology and biochemistry. This will give students an opportunity for handson activities in biology. Lab meets weekly, and attendance is required. A separate
syllabus will be available. Please contact Professor Franklin for any issues relating to lab.
Course requirements
One in-class exam (25%)
One five page written project (Informed consent) (25%): due at end of class
Group presentation (15%): 7 min in class, plus on-line posting
Blog participation (10%)
Lab (25%)
Required reading:
Skloot, Rebecca (2010) The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks, New York, Crown
Publishers, 370 pp.
Additional Readings (available on Blackboard)
Eagle 1955 article on growth medium (read for class Sep 10)
Hayflick article (for class Sep 20)
Article on ownership of tissue samples (for class Oct 4)
2
Sample informed consent form (for class Oct 8)
(Other materials will be posted later)
Web resources for Bio 110 (visit these for more information!)
1) Cell culture descriptions
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~jwolf/method5.htm
University of British Columbia
http://www.scq.ubc.ca/cell-culture
American Type Culture Collection (cell lines)
http://www.atcc.org
2) Cell biology (including cancer)
Kimball’s biology pages
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/
University of Arizona
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/DEFAULT.html
Cells Alive animations
http://www.cellsalive.com
American Society for Cell Biology educational materials
http://bioeducate.ascb.org/
National Institute of General Medical Science
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell
3) Cancer Physiology
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/
3