Transcriptomic Analysis and Data Mining in C.elegans: College of the Atlantic

The goal of this course is to provide students with a hands-on research training experience using the model organism C. elegans, bioinformatics, and common molecular biology techniques in the context of the biology of aging. The curriculum will introduce the central dogma of molecular biology, the biology of aging, and the basics of data mining online resources. Students will investigate a list of genes differentially expressed by pro-longevity treatments and pick a candidate to validate experimentally in the lab. Skills taught will include primer design, gel electrophoresis, RNA extraction, quantitative real time PCR, and handling of C. elegans. The course will conclude with 5-minute presentations from each student with results on the gene they picked and how it may relate to aging.