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Step directly into the world of biotechnology in this immersive wet lab experience designed for advanced study of Molecular Biology and System Biology. This course moves beyond theory, focusing on the rigorous techniques scientists use to analyze life at the molecular level. Students will receive hands-on training with professional equipment, including micropipettes and the spectrophotometer, as they perform a rapid DNA extraction from biological samples and set up a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify a genetic target. Results will be validated using gel electrophoresis, where students will separate and visualize DNA fragments to confirm the presence of molecular markers. The session culminates in an exploration of diagnostic AI, connecting the real molecular data they generate to advanced computational methods. Students will utilize a simple software interface to test how AI algorithms are "trained" on cellular images to predict health and disease. This is a fast-paced, high-level course emphasizing experimental design, quantitative precision, and the critical link between molecular biology and the future of machine learning in health and medicine. Prerequisite course(s): Successful completion of at least one course from one of these options: Biotechnology, Biology, Anatomy, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science.
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