Day: Fridays
Time: 12:00-12:50 p.m.
Location: HSSB 1215
Enrollment Code: 58487
Description:
Biotechnology is changing everything from the medicine we take to how
criminal investigators identify the perpetrator of a crime. From all accounts,
we have only seen the tip of the iceberg in this rapidly moving and diverse
field. In this course we will examine the scientific basis behind emerging
developments in biotechnology, evaluate safety issues, and discuss some of
the unanticipated impacts of biotechnology on society. Topics to be discussed
will include: genetically modified foods, gene therapy, cloning, stem cells,
forensic science, using biotechnology to clean up the environment, and how
biotechnology might be used to reduce the rate of global warming. The course
is open to students in both science and non-science majors (An overview of
DNA, RNA, and proteins will be given during the first class meeting). Come
prepared to share your own thoughts and be willing to listen to what others
have to say about both the positive aspects and risks inherent in this rapidly
developing area.
Professor Doug Thrower, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, does research on the molecular events that lead to cancer. He works with a protein, Stathmin, that when mutated or overproduced, is associated with several types of cancer. Undergraduate courses that he teaches include Genetics (MCDB 101A), the Biology of Cancer (MCDB 135), Pharmacology (MCDB 126A, 126AL, 126BL, MCDB 174), and Cell Cycle Regulation (MCDB 194).
Email: thrower@lifesci.ucsb.edu
