20.109(F09)

Fall 2009

Instructors: Angela Belcher, Bevin Engelward, Natalie Kuldell and  Agi Stachowiak Writing Instructor: Neal Lerner,  Linda Sutliff Oral Presentation Instructor: Atissa Banuazizi Graduate TAs: Tyler DeWitt,  Michelle Sukup Jackson,  Bridget Wall

Lecture: T/R 11-12 (26-168) Lab:     T/R 1-5 or W/F 1-5 (56-322) Seminar Room: 16-336

Welcome to 20.109! For many of you this will be the first time in a research lab and for others it will not, but it is our goal to make this class a useful and fun introduction to experiments and techniques in biological engineering. There is not time enough to show you everything you’ll need to know if you go on to do research, but after taking this class you should feel confident and familiar with some fundamental experimental approaches and lab protocols. You will develop good habits at the bench, ones that will increase the likelihood of success in your work and ensure the health and safety of you and those around you. By the end of the semester, you should also be aware of good scientific practice, having had some experience with report writing, notebook keeping and publicly presenting your data. All of us involved in teaching 20.109 hope you will find it a satisfying challenge and an exciting experience that has lasting value.


 * To submit your major assignments, access the Stellar drop-box that's here

Announcements

 * Be sure to post your ppt for the Research Proposals to the Stellar site. As usual, speaking order will be determined by the order in which the presentations are posted.


 * Professor Belcher will have office hours in the lab today (Monday) from 1-4 pm. Feel free to stop by and discuss your proposal ideas.


 * As mentioned in lecture, there is a 3 point, optional, extra credit homework assignment, due at the start of the first lab when you return from T-day break. If you would like, please submit an explanation for why/how the ionic strength of TBS might be affecting the reduction of the gold in the phage nanowire synthesis reactions.


 * You can find the latest changes to the 20.109 wiki at Recent changes for 20.109
 * You can find old announcements here