Stem Cells and Society - Biology 71 - Homework due December 8, 2009

American Society for Cell Biology national meeting - sessions for undergraduates

1.  Visit the ASCB meeting link on the Bio 71 <assignments> web page

2.  Determine whether or not you plan to attend the undergraduate session on Saturday, Dec.  5 in San Diego.   If you do plan to attend, follow “plan A”; if you do not plan to attend, follow “plan B”.

PLAN A

1.  follow the link to the ‘poster for entrance’,
•    register for the meeting, and
•    forward the registration confirmation email to Dr. Schmeidler.

2.  Attend the two talks and the poster session.

3.  Write a summary - reaction paper:  ~ a paragraph each:
•    a brief summary of each talk, and
•    a brief summary of something that you saw at the poster session, and
•    your reaction to the experience - what else dod you learn or was it worthwhile?

PLAN B: alternative assignment in lieu of attending the meeting

1.  Talk 1:
•    Read the two articles linked at the meeting announcement site, relating to the first talk OR find an original research paper and a related review article about some topic related to stem cells, and CLEAR IT WITH DR. SCHMEIDLER
•    Write a paper, at least 3 pages, that
    •    summarizes the topic - be sure that you discuss the topic, not the authors nor the researchers
    •    analyzes the work
    •    state what you think the next step in the project should be
2.  Talk 2:  
•    Read http://www.rechargebiomedical.com/telomeres.html  and http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2009/press.html  and a recent original research report by one of the people who shared this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine    
•    Write a paper, at least 3 pages, that
    •    summarizes the topic - be sure that you discuss the topic, not the authors nor the researchers
    •    analyzes the work
    •    state what you think the next step in the project should be