Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. — Benjamin Franklin
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My Teaching Philosophy
Teaching and mentoring are central to my academic journey.
I focus on creating a cooperative, enjoyable, technology-enriched, and dynamic learning environment that inspires and engages students from diverse backgrounds. My commitment to inclusive education drives me to prepare students for the ever-evolving landscape of biology. A cornerstone of my educational philosophy is integrating research into my teaching. This method empowers students to develop critical thinking and adaptability, while leveraging AI-facilitated tools to build a deep, conceptual understanding of biology.
By bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications, I aim to cultivate an inclusive, career-oriented, and stimulating environment where every student can thrive.
BIO 220: Biotechnology
Winter Quarter 2026
Instructor: Dr. Jianfei Zhao
Email: j.zhao@DePaul.edu
Lecture: Thu 11:20 AM – 12:50 PM
Lab: Thu 2:40–5:40 PM
Location: McGowan 234, Lincoln Park
Seats: 24
Course Description
BIO 220 introduces the foundational concepts, tools, and applications of modern biotechnology, with a focus on molecular methods, genome editing, AI, and precision medicine. Students will gain hands-on experience in the lab, explore the role of model organisms, and engage with ethical, legal, and social issues throughout the course.
Learning Objectives
Understand core molecular and computational techniques in biotechnology.
Apply bioinformatics and AI tools to analyze biological data.
Explain the role of model organisms in biotech research and innovation.
Describe the principles and applications of precision medicine.
Critically evaluate ethical, legal, and social implications of biotech advances.
Communicate scientific ideas effectively in written and oral formats.
Required Materials
Course readings (provided via D2L)
Lab notebook
Access to NCBI, PDB, and other online databases
Weekly Schedule
Week
Topics & Activities
Lab
Bioethics Focus
1
Introduction to Biotechnology & Databases
- Course overview, DNA/RNA technologies, NCBI/PDB intro, Chicago biotech careers
Lab safety, pipetting, DNA extraction, database navigation
Data privacy, consent, ethical use of public data
2
Core Molecular Methods & Databases
- PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning, primer design, intro to precision medicine
PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, BLAST search
Genetic testing, data sharing
3
Model Organisms in Biotech
- Guest: Model organisms (E. coli, yeast, Arabidopsis, mouse), their biotech contributions, database resources
Bacterial transformation, yeast genetics, gene conservation analysis
Animal welfare, GMO regulation
4
Genome Editing & Precision Medicine
- CRISPR-Cas9, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, gRNA design, precision medicine case studies
CRISPR design (in silico), gene knockout planning, precision medicine case analysis
Access to therapies, gene editing ethics
5
Microbial Engineering
- Engineering microbes, synthetic biology, guest: microbial models in diagnostics
Microbial genetic manipulation, metabolic pathway database search
Biosecurity, environmental impact
6
Plant Biotechnology
- Plant genetic engineering, plant-made pharmaceuticals, guest: plant models in precision agriculture
Plant tissue culture, plant gene annotation
Food safety, labeling, global access
7
AI Tools in Biotech I
- AI/ML in biology, sequence analysis, AI for precision medicine, database integration
BLAST, sequence alignment, protein structure prediction, drug response prediction
Algorithmic bias, data integrity
8
AI Tools in Biotech II
- AI in drug discovery, omics, predictive models for personalized medicine, guest: computational models
Public dataset analysis with AI, personalized medicine project
AI ethics, privacy, reproducibility
9
Biotech Industry & Careers
- Guest: Chicago biotech industry, local case studies, drug development, precision medicine in clinic
Career panel, final project workshop
Workplace ethics, equity, professional responsibility
10
Final Project Presentations & Synthesis
- Student presentations, course review, future outlook for precision medicine
Final presentations
Reflection on ethical themes
Assessment
Lab Reports: 30%
Quizzes/Assignments: 20%
Participation (including guest sessions): 10%
Final Project (written + oral): 40%
Final Project
Students propose and present a novel biotech product, research project, or company concept, integrating technical, computational, and ethical aspects. Deliverables include a written proposal (5–7 pages) and a 10–12 minute oral presentation.
Course Policies
Attendance is required for all lectures and labs.
Late assignments incur a penalty unless prior arrangements are made.
Academic integrity is expected; violations will be reported per university policy.
Accommodations are available for students with documented needs.
Previous Taught Courses
Bio201 Foundation of Biological Inquiry, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
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