BME 6130 - Engineering the Microbiome

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Suggested prerequisite: introduction to genetics, molecular biology/engineering (BME 3020 or equivalent), and computer programming familiarity (python and/or R preferred but not required).

I. Brito.

The human microbiome impacts human health in a multitude of ways. To achieve a specific health outcome, we can modify the compositions of the microbiome, the molecules microbes produce, how they interact or how our body interacts with them. Yet, our current toolbox is fairly limited. In this course, we will examine current methods for intervening in the microbiome, but focus primarily on cutting-edge technologies for microbiome-related therapeutics. This will include synthetic biology and genetic engineering approaches. Topics will include: probiotics, antibiotics, drug discovery, live bacterial therapeutics, biosensors, phage therapies, bacterial evolution and engineering immune responses. We will touch on the safety implications of using different biological technologies. This course is designed for graduate students or Masters and advanced undergraduate students (with advanced permission). There will be a computational component to this course, although no prior computational experience is required.