NEW:   DNA Analysis Methods Option

 

Formerly: DNA Forensics Option

B.S. Biology

General Information

 

Directors:    Dr. Ted Nuttall (more information at Dr. Nuttall's Homepage), Dr. Carina Howell, Dr. Barrie Overton

 

Introduction:

            The power of DNA-based methods influences all fields of Biology, such as medicine, forensics, evolutionary biology, ecology, and species identification.  While still providing hands-on experience in DNA Forensics as practiced in criminal forensics, LHU has decided to widen the applications to include many applications in Biology.  In the laboratories at LHU, students learn to isolate, quantify, cut, clone, copy, and sequence DNA from bacteria, fungi, plants and animals.  Examples of student classroom and research projects include identification of new fungi from forests, the evolution of cell-signaling genes, identification of PA crayfishes using DNA barcoding, identification of breeding trout stock, the forensic individualization of cats, cloning the genes for glowing in the dark from a marine bacterium, the characterization of planarian genes, detection of MRSA bacteria, forensic identification of humans using crime laboratory methods, and DNA sequencing methods used by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory.  At LHU, every student can copy DNA using a forensic/medical-grade PCR thermal cycler, and then genotype or sequence DNA using the ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer, an automated capillary-electrophoresis instrument.  With DNA sequences in hand, students can search national DNA databases in our Wi-Fi-ready Ulmer Hall science building.  Our graduates routinely enter graduate programs or go directly to work in medical, research, and forensic laboratories.

 

DNA Analysis Methods Option at LHU:

Students in this option, which is within the B.S. Biology Major, will learn the theory and laboratory skills of modern DNA analysis methods, including DNA isolation and preservation techniques, PCR, automated DNA sequencing, and STR-based genotyping (Short Tandem Repeats--currently the world standard for human forensic identification).  The DNA Analysis Methods students will take all the required General Education courses (including Calculus I), and the Area/Core courses in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology found in the Biology Program.  While all students are introduced to DNA methods early in their path, such as in Principles of Biology II, more formal introduction starts in the spring of the Sophomore year with DNA Methods in Biology, a one-credit class that gives students the overview of the use of DNA analyses in biology, including current techniques, terminology, regulations, and applications.  In the Junior year in Cell & Molecular Biology and Advanced DNA Methods, students will learn all relevant molecular techniques, such as pipetting, DNA isolation (using phenol extractions, magnetic bead extraction, and FTA paper), restriction digestions, gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, hybridization, PCR, DNA sequencing, and genotyping.  Additional supporting courses in the Junior and Senior years include Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology.  Additional experience in DNA Analysis Methods will be seen in the final 17 hours of Biology Electives and Required Courses in the major (see below).  All students who reach the Junior and Senior Year with a 2.5 GPA are encouraged to enroll in either an Independent Study or Internship to gain first-hand experience in DNA-based applications.  Anyone interested in pursuing this Option should contact Dr. Ted Nuttall in Ulmer Hall 307 (570-484-2058 or tnuttall@lhup.edu), Dr. Barrie Overton (boverton@lhup.edu), or Dr. Carina Howell (chowell@lhup.edu).

 

 

 

DNA Analysis Methods

Option within the B.S. Biology Program

 

Possible Schedule (120 semester hours)

Year/Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

First Year

Principles of Biology I (3)

Principles of Chemistry I (4)

Gen Ed (9)

Total = 16 s.h.

Principles of Biology II (3)

Principles of Chemistry II (4)

Calculus I (3)

Gen Ed (6)

Total = 16 s.h.

Sophomore Year

Botany (3)

Organic Chemistry I (4)

Physics I (4)

Gen Ed (3)

Total = 14 s.h.

Genetics (3)

Organic Chemistry II (4)

Physics II (4)

DNA Methods in Biology (1)

Gen Ed (3)

Total = 15 s.h.

Junior Year

Cell & Molecular Biology (4)

Microbiology (4)

Biology Electives (1)

Gen Ed (6)

Total = 15 s.h

Advanced DNA Methods (3)

Biochemistry (4)

Biology Electives (2)

Gen Ed (6)

Total = 15 s.h

Senior  Year

Biology Electives (6)

Ecology (3)

Gen Ed (6)

Total = 15 s.h

Biology Electives (1)

Zoology (3)

Organismal Physiology (3)

Gen Ed (7)

Total = 14 s.h.

 

Note:  3 Biology Elective credits must include a DNA-intensive class or research.

 

        The above schedule of courses is only a suggestion; there can be other equally effective possibilities.

 

Other suggested elective courses: 

        MATH107 Statistics

        CHEM317 Instrumental Analysis

     For criminal forensic science oriented students, during Sophomore or Junior year, begin Criminal Justice courses:

        CRJS102    Introduction to Criminal Justice

        CRJS240    Introduction to Law Enforcement

        CRJS310    Criminal Investigation

 

Independent Studies and Internships:  One student completed and internship with the Fish and Wildlife Agency where he used DNA Sequencing to verify a strain of virus infecting salmon.  Other students completed internships at the Reading Police Department and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, in Maryland.  Future areas of research include animal typing for domestic cats and typing for wildlife crimes, such as poaching, smuggling, and trading in illegal wildlife remains (such as Black Bear gall bladders and eagle feathers).  Internships off campus can be facilitated and supported by LHU for credit towards graduation.

 

 

 

Equipment that DNA Analysis Methods Students will use:

            This equipment supports all instruction in DNA Analysis Methods, as well as many other courses and research projects that can benefit from DNA sequence analysis.

1. LS32 LightScanner 32 system.  Real-time PCR and High Resolution Melting analysis.

2. AB 310 DNA Analyzer.  This instrument can sequence DNA and generate human identification data used in forensics.  It is the actual instrument found in about 70% of crime labs in the U.S., and is automated to run at least 48 samples unattended.

3. AB GeneAmp PCR System 9700 thermal cycler.  This instrument copies DNA and generates the samples to be analyzed on the 310 DNA Analyzer.  This thermal cycler is among the best available.

4. Temperature Verification System.  This probe and instrument combination from AB verifies that the 9700 thermal cycler is working properly. Absolutely necessary for quality control in DNA Forensics.

5. Eppendorf Mini-Centrifuge, Dead-air box, Biosafety Cabinet, Autoclaves, and miscellaneous supplies.  These pieces of equipment are needed to use DNA isolation kits, clean up kits for samples to be run on the 310 DNA Analyzer, etc.

 

Alumni in DNA-based Identification or Forensics:          

Ø  Susanna Ulery, Bode Technology Group, Virginia

Ø  Jennie Groover, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Virginia

Ø  Christina Plourde, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Virginia

Ø  Holly Bofinger, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Virginia

Ø  Dan Smith, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Virginia

Ø  Luke Stewart, Johns Hopkins, Senior Lab Technician in the Genotyping Facility

Ø  Roy Rich, Johns Hopkins, Lab Technician in the Tissue-Typing Laboratory, Masters Student

Ø  Dana Campbell, Johns Hopkins, DNA Sequencing Facility

Ø  Todd Harvey, PA State Crime Lab, Lima, PA

Ø  Neal Rerko, PA State Crime Lab, Forensic Scientist II, Lima, PA

 

Of course many other alumni are in Graduate Programs in molecular biology and genetics, medical schools, or employed in private industry (Merck, Johnson and Johnson, Wyeth, etc.).

 

Dr. Nuttall’s Experience:

 

Ø  Advanced 310 Analyzer & AmpFLSTR® Kit, Applied Biosystems Inc, Foster City, CA, 6/2003

Ø  Advanced 310 Analyzer & AmpFLSTR® Kit, Applied Biosystems Inc, Foster City, CA, 1/2002

Ø  Statistics Workshop, 12th International Symposium on Human Identification, Biloxi, MS, 10/2001

Ø  DNA Sequencing Instruction by Applied Biosystems on the 310 Analyzer, Lock Haven, 2001

Ø  Clinical Laboratory Director (consulting), Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., Williamsport, PA, 1993–1996

Ø  HIV Quantitation by RT-PCR, Roche Diagnostic Systems, New Jersey, 7/96

Ø  Human Identification using STRs, PCR Workshop, Promega Corp., Wisconsin, 8/95

Ø  Clinical Applications (including Human Identification using DQα) of PCR Symposium and Workshop, Roche Molecular Systems, CA, 8/93

Ø  Basic and Clinical Molecular Diagnostic Applications, Clinical Laboratories of Central Blood Bank, Pittsburgh, 4/93

Ø  Clinical PCR training, MaGee-Womens Center, Pittsburgh, 12/92

Ø  NSF Short Course: Teaching Molecular Biology in Undergraduate Institutions, Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 6/91

Ø  DNA Sequencing, IBI Short Course, Melbourne, FL, 9/89

Ø  Nucleic Acid/Protein Sequence Analysis Workshop, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, 8/89

Ø  Population Genetics Research and Training, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 9/85

Ø  Electrophoresis training for Population Genetics, SUNY at Stony Brook, 7/85