Natalie Betz
Credentials: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Position title: Academic Director
M.S. in Biotechnology Program (in-person)
Capstone Certificate in Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs (online)
School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Eric Vincent
Credentials: PhD in Biochemistry
Position title: Senior Global Product Manager
Promega Corporation
Amy Prevost
Credentials: PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Position title: Executive Director
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
Course Overview
biomdsci 803: Molecular Technologies I
(industry-sited, hands-on laboratory course)
Year 1, Fall Semester (2 credits)
Friday afternoons, 1:00pm – 5:00pm (every other week)
Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
Promega Corporation
Here students play the role of staff scientists evaluating the technical merits and feasibility of competing molecular technologies.
The innovative curriculum focuses on biotechnology methods and practice, effective written and oral scientific communication, genetic mutation detection and the role of automation in biotechnology.
In hands-on laboratory sessions, you’ll perform nucleic acid purification, quantitation and analysis, and PCR and RT-PC-based analyses.
You’ll enhance your working understanding of molecular biology and biotechnology with training in scientific communication.
You’ll learn how to maintain a laboratory notebook, write strong essays and papers, give effective presentations, write technical protocols, and plan and prepare laboratory meetings and team presentations.
Session Topics from Fall 2024
Session 1: Introduction to MT I, Scientific Conduct, Experimental Design, and Data Analysis; Effective Communication Skills Workshop
Session 2: Nucleic Acid Purification Laboratory; Introduction to PCR, SNPs, and Mutation Detection
Session 3: Nucleic Acid Analysis and Quantitation; Mutation Detection in a Clinical Diagnostic Setting
Session 4: Perform Mutation Detection Assays and Journal Club Presentations
Session 5: Analyze Results of Mutation Detection Technologies; Introduction to Bioinformatics and Big Data
Session 6: Final Team Mutation Detection Technology Presentations
Session 7: Course Wrap-Up; Biotechnology Company Tours