Ever wonder how our bodies repair themselves after all the crazy dumb stuff we do? Hated spring because of pollen? Thought about how cancer cells avoid detection by displaying the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 to engage CD8+ T cells’ PD-1 receptor and trick them into thinking it’s one of your normal cells? Haha jk… unless…? Join us to learn more about the amazing, intricate immune systems behind all of these processes! Developed over the course of history through our never-ending battle with the pathogens in our environments, our immune systems strike an intricate balance distinguishing between foreign invaders (like bacteria and viruses) and our own tissues. In this class, we’ll break down the basic biology of the immune system, going over some of the main cell types and mechanisms and how scientists discovered these fundamental principles. We’ll also discuss some crazy cool topics and applications in modern immunology, including advanced research techniques (from transgenic mice and CRISPR to single cell RNA sequencing and deep learning) and new clinical approaches and immunotherapies.

Ever wondered if and why cilantro tastes like soap to you? Want to sweeten your world? From miracle berries to bitterness genes, come experience hands(*tongue*)-on activities to learn about the underlying science behind taste, all while indulging in some tastefully-selected treats.

In a world of unprecedented technological advances and large, complex omics data, how is a biologist to draw any meaningful conclusion from it all? Come and learn the basics of RNA sequencing analysis and how a tangled spool of seemingly random RNA fragments can be spun into an intriguing tale about biology!

~CRISPR~... Learn what this biology buzzword actually means and how this incredibly powerful tool can be used for everything from gene editing to genome wide screening!