Advanced Pre-Med Fellowship: Biotechniques/Microbial Pathogenesis

Laboratory of Molecular Virology
School of Systems Biology
Schar School of Policy and Government
George Mason University

Duration: 7.5 Weeks
Session Period: Tuesday, May 26 – Tuesday, July 14
In-person Lab session time: Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Laboratory of Molecular Virology
George Mason University – Sci-Tech Campus
GPS Address: 10900 University Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110

This course will provide students with a thorough review of research design topics, as well as hands-on experience with biochemical techniques, aseptic technique/cell culture, and cell-based assays commonly used in microbial pathogenesis research.

This advanced program is designed for undergraduate students and bioscience professionals seeking intensive hands-on laboratory training and exposure to cutting-edge virology research. The program focuses on the molecular mechanisms of retroviral gene expression, host-virus interactions, extracellular vesicles, and humanized mouse models. Participants will gain direct experience in experimental techniques, bioinformatics tools, and translational research applications.

This in-person laboratory course is offered during Summer Session E and runs for a total of 7.5 weeks.

• Class Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Meeting Time: 3 hours per session
• Total Instructional Hours: 45 hours
  (3 hours per session × 2 sessions per week × 7.5 weeks)

No Class Dates

• Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day)
• Monday, July 3
• Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day)

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older at the start of the program.
• Be available to participate in in-person laboratory training during the summer session.
• Comply with all laboratory safety regulations, required trainings, and institutional policies.
• Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research laboratory environment.

Disability Statement: If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see Dr. Fatah Kashanchi and contact the Office of Disability Resources at 703.993.2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office. 

Honor Code Statement: George Mason University has an Honor Code, which requires all members of this community to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Cheating, plagiarism, lying, and stealing are all prohibited. All violations of the Honor Code will be reported to the Honor Committee. See honorcode.gmu.edu for more detailed information.

We can only receive 6 participants this year. Please email execed@gmu.edu for application and program fees.

Module 1: Biochemistry & Molecular Foundations (Weeks 1–2)

Core Techniques:

• DNA, RNA, and protein extraction from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Gel electrophoresis and BCA protein quantification
• cDNA synthesis
• PCR and qPCR
• Western blotting for gene expression validation

Assessment:

• Mini Exam I

Module 2: Aseptic Technique & Molecular Cloning (Weeks 3–4)

Core Techniques:

• Restriction digestion and ligation
• Bacterial transformation and plasmid DNA isolation
• Mammalian cell culture fundamentals
  
  • Thawing, counting, and seeding cells
  • Subculturing and cryopreservation

Assessment:

• Mini Exam II

Module 3: Cell-Based Assays & Viral Applications (Weeks 5–7.5)

Transfection & Expression Analysis:

• Plasmid transfection
• RNA and protein extraction
• PCR, qPCR, and Western blot analysis

Cell Viability & Cytotoxicity Assays:

• MTT and Alamar Blue assays

Imaging & Microscopy:

• Cell fixation and immunocytochemistry (ICC) staining
• Fluorescent imaging
• Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry (BRL facility)

Infection & Viability Studies:

• Bacterial infection and intracellular colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis
• Infection with BSL-1 virus (MMLV-based; Δgag/pol/env)
• Viral detection using plaque-forming units (PFU)

Final Assessments:

• Final Exam

Lab Report and Lab Notebook Submission

• Mini Exam I: 15%
• Mini Exam II: 15%
• Final Exam: 20%
• Lab Report & Lab Notebook: 50%

Molecular Virology

• Mechanisms of viral gene expression and replication
• Host–virus interactions and transcriptional regulation
• Extracellular vesicle (EV) biology in viral infection

Wet Lab Techniques & Experimental Training

• Molecular cloning, RNA/DNA extraction, and protein analysis
• PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, and imaging techniques
• Viral and cell-based assay methodologies
• Laboratory safety and compliance practices

Experimental Model Systems

• Mammalian cell culture and infection models
• Translational approaches in virology research
• Integration of laboratory and computational analysis

Participants will engage in structured, immersive research experiences that bridge laboratory practice and analytical reasoning:

• Intensive Wet Lab Training
  Participants will conduct hands-on laboratory experiments in a supervised research environment.
• Data Analysis Workshops
  Guided sessions focused on interpreting experimental results using introductory bioinformatics and data analysis tools.
• Case Studies in Experimental Design
  Students will analyze real research scenarios, emphasizing experimental planning, data interpretation, and translational impact.
• Capstone Research Proposal
  Each participant will design a research proposal integrating wet-lab experimentation with computational or analytical approaches.

Upon completion of the program, participants will:

• Acquire practical laboratory skills applicable to molecular virology and extracellular vesicle (EV) research.
• Gain hands-on experience analyzing viral and experimental datasets using foundational bioinformatics tools.
• Develop a strong understanding of host–virus interactions and experimental modeling in biomedical research.
• Produce a capstone research proposal or mini research paper demonstrating integrated laboratory and analytical thinking.
• Strengthen scientific communication skills through written and/or oral presentation of research findings.
• Build readiness for graduate study, research-intensive programs, or advancement in bioscience and biotechnology careers.

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi is a professor of virology and the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Virology. His research interests encompass human retroviruses, biodefense viral agents, the cell cycle, host-pathogen interactions, small molecule and peptide inhibitors against transcription machinery, RNAi machinery and its components, proteomics and metabolomics, humanized mouse models, and extracellular vesicles, including exosomes. Currently, his lab focuses on research related to extracellular vesicles and HIV pathogenesis, Ebola virus VP40 and exosomes, humanized mouse models, and inhibitors of transcription and associated pathways. Dr. Kashanchi received his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Kansas in 1991, with an emphasis on retrovirus gene expression. He worked with Dr. C. Wood on HIV-1 gene expression, who was a student of Nobel Laureate Dr. Tonegawa (1987), known for his work on B-cell development and gp120 ELISA. Afterward, Dr. Kashanchi moved to Washington, DC, to undertake a Postdoctoral and Research Associate fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, from 1991 to 1998. He achieved tenure at the George Washington University Medical School as a full professor in 2004. Subsequently, he became the director of research at GMU in 2010, a position he held until 2013. He is currently serving as the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Virology at the GMU-Sic-Tech campus.

Dr. Heather Branscome is a Senior Scientist at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) with over 17 years of experience in both academic and industry research. She holds a Ph.D. in Biosciences from George Mason University and has broad expertise in cell and molecular biology. At ATCC, Dr. Branscome leads efforts in cell biology bioproduction, quality control, and large-scale processing, with a particular focus on extracellular vesicle (EV) research, including their purification, characterization, and applications in cellular repair. She also manages scientific teams supporting government programs and serves as an instructor for biotechnology training programs, maintaining active collaborative ties with George Mason University.