SCI 6401
Fundamental Papers in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

This course delves into several ground-breaking original research papers that have shaped the concepts and technologies of modern biomedical research, with a special focus on technologies that have led to the development of the current biotech pharmaceuticals. The research contributions discussed here start with the discovery of oncogenes and quickly gathers pace to discuss paradigm-shifting research papers published within the last few years. The goal is to understand the logic and principles of doing biological experiments: the importance of models and hypotheses, testable versus untestable hypotheses, controls, the limits of interpretation dictated by the results, and how changing paradigms influence the progress of science. A few of the chosen publications are considered classic; their approaches to addressing the unknown questions of the day and their conceptual contributions remain valid even today.