BI**194: Winter 2026 Course Descriptions
Disclaimer: Students may not receive credit for a second attempt of the same topic that was previously completed.
| Instructor |
Hueschen, Christina |
| Title |
Biological Intuition: Cells by the Numbers |
| Description |
Which is bigger, a protein or the mRNA that codes for it? How many membrane proteins could you fit on the surface of one mitochondrion, and how much energy would it cost to synthesize all those membrane proteins? In this seminar course, we will deepen our understanding of cell biology and build our intuition for the sizes, speeds, and energy scales of cellular processes. We will use order-of-magnitude estimates, arithmetic, primary literature, and the book and online resource Cell Biology by the Numbers (Milo & Phillips) to explore the cell's biology both in the language of words and the language of numbers. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Chaim, Alex |
| Title |
RNA Biology and Sequencing Technologies |
| Description |
This course will explore the fundamental principles of RNA biology and the cutting-edge sequencing technologies used to study RNA function and regulation. We will discuss primary research literature covering RNA structure, function, and dynamics, with emphasis on transcriptome analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, RNA modifications, and emerging sequencing platforms. Topics will include RNA processing, alternative splicing, non-coding RNAs, and the application of RNA-seq technologies in developmental biology and disease research. Students will present and critically evaluate recent papers, discuss experimental design considerations for RNA sequencing studies, and examine bioinformatics approaches for analyzing high-throughput RNA data. The goal is to develop skills in interpreting primary literature while gaining deep understanding of how modern sequencing technologies are advancing our knowledge of RNA biology. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Amaro, Rommie |
| Title |
Computational Structural Biology |
| Description |
Computational Structural Biology is undergoing a revolution, thanks to increased experimental datasets, algorithmic advances, and continually evolving computer hardware. For example, AlphaFold made real the promise and use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to enormous gain for the scientific community. In parallel, molecular, subcellular, and cell-scale simulations use, integrate, and extend experimental datasets providing novel hypotheses and views into regions of time and space that are otherwise inaccessible to experiment. This course will cover an overview of modern computational structural biology methods, through reading, discussing, and presenting primary literature. Topics include: protein structure prediction, drug docking and scoring, cryo-electron microscopy methods, molecular dynamics simulations at molecular and mesoscales, cryo-electron tomography, protein design, antibody design, among others. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Ackerman, Susan |
| Title |
Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration |
| Description |
Neurodegenerative disorders are common, particularly in the aging population. Genetic analysis demonstrates that these disorders likely have divergent causes. Furthermore, most of the prevalent disorders are sporadic with unknown causes. The goal of this course is to provide basic knowledge on neurodegenerative disorders and to discuss cutting-edge research on the molecular and cellular causes of neuron loss in these disorders. Students will read and present primary literature on this topic. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Meharena, Hiruy |
| Title |
Stem Cell Models in Neuroscience: From Development to Aging |
| Description |
This course focuses on the utilization of induced stem cells to understand fundamental principles of brain development and function as well as gaining insight from this model in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Banghart, Matthew |
| Title |
Mechanisms of Drug Action in the Nervous System |
| Description |
This seminar explores how neuroactive small molecules influence nervous system function, both as therapeutic agents and as research tools. Students will critically examine current primary literature to understand the molecular, cellular, and systems-level mechanisms of drug action in the brain. Weekly discussions and student-led presentations will focus on timely topics in neuropharmacology, including the antidepressant effects of ketamine, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for anxiety and depression, and advances toward developing non-addictive painkillers. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Newsam, John |
| Title |
Biotech Entrepreneurship: Ingredients for Successful Creation of or Participation in a New Biotech Company |
| Description |
This course introduces senior undergraduates to biotechnology business and to the coupling of entrepreneurship with scientific innovation. With an interactive, workshop format, participants will apply semi-structured methods to business concept and business model development, and be introduced to the mechanics of planning-for, founding and building a new business endeavor. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Manor, Uri |
| Title |
Machine Learning (aka "Artificial Intelligence") in Biology and Medicine |
| Description |
FORMAT: Critical “highly interactive” group discussion of published papers facilitated by small group presenters.
DESCRIPTION: We will explore how machine learning (AI) is currently being used and developed for new tools and discoveries in biological and biomedical research. We will cover landmark papers in computer vision, multi-modal, and large language models for genetic and protein sequencing data. The students will present journal clubs on selected papers which we will all discuss together. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Farley, Emma |
| Title |
Enhancers |
| Description |
This class will read papers that focus on enhancers and their role in development and disease. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
