Molecular Biology 1

February 28, 2024 | Online Orientation

March 11, 2024 - April 22, 2024

Mondays | 4:00pm -7:30pm

The class is taught at University Lab Partners located at UCI Research Park. 5270 California Ave., Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92617 

You can use the Apply Now button above to apply.

ULP will be reviewing applications and sending email notifications of acceptance on a rolling basis. 

ULP has full and partial scholarships for the program. All students are considered for need-based scholarships at the time of application. There is no application process. ULP will notify scholarship recipients at the time of acceptance.

The tuition is $1,450 and includes all laboratory materials.

Undergraduate and high school students with a deep interest in pursuing academic research opportunities and/or careers in medicine and biotechnology.

You may have already identified that hands-on learning of molecular biology lab techniques will boost your academic success and prepare you for a STEM career. When it comes to molecular cell biology and the hands-on lab training participants will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skills in bacterial cloning, genomic and plasmid DNA isolation, PCR, restriction digest, and gel electrophoresis as well as experimental design and execution. Students will use classic techniques as well as use cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR and TcBuster™ to edit cellular genome.

• Hands-on research experience with bacterial cultures, transformations, and plasmid modification
• Discover how molecular biology techniques are used in biotech companies
• Learn cutting-edge life science research trends
• Utilize state-of-the-art research instrumentation
• Gain knowledge about emerging life science careers
• Gain a competitive advantage when applying for college/internship and entering the workforce

CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and is a highly precise gene editing tool that has only been around for a decade. This tool is used by research scientists to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms. CRISPR was adapted for use in the laboratory from naturally occurring genome editing systems found in bacteria. Bacteria use these systems to fight against invasive DNA that can be delivered by viruses. 

Genome engineering research is also referred to as genetic engineering or genetic modification. Using techniques from molecular biology, genome engineering modifies or alters the genetic makeup or DNA of an organism. Genetic modification can include changing, deleting, or adding a new segment of DNA to an existing strand. CRISPR gene editing, for example, is used to remove DNA strands identified as disease markers, allowing the gene to repair itself and replace the removed markers.

For students interested in STEM careers in medicine or pharmaceutical research, learning molecular biology lab techniques such as genome engineering can provide a solid foundation for the work to come in one’s academic and professional work.

The program is taught by Samantha Renusch, Education Program Manager of University Lab Partners.

Samantha has worked as a Research Scientist at NKGen Biotech and has spent 2+ years in cutting-edge industry research and development laboratories. Samantha has also spent extensive time as a Laboratory Manager on UCI's campus teaching and mentoring undergraduate/graduate students. 

Samantha holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UCI.