Discovery CenterUndergraduate Basic Health Science Teaching Laboratory
The laboratory environment for new and for refined learning exists in many forms. Discovery occurs in a diverse and wide continuum from spaces with benches laden with scientific equipment to repositories of data in traditional printed page, journal and book forms and increasingly in newer analog and digital formats on tapes, discs and other electronic media. The laboratory now includes newer realms of virtual and simulated environments and experiences often integrated or in juxtaposition across the continuum to provide flexibility and increased creative opportunities in the education of an increasing diversity of students and faculty. Research laboratory bench space and core research support facilities for faculty and their student research assistants, however, remain the critical focus for the scholarly development of science faculty and their students. The School of Nursing and Health Studies (NHS) with the generous financial support of the Parents of NHS students has built a 3,000 square foot teaching laboratory and research space in the Georgetown University Medical Center biomedical research facilities for use by students and faculty of the School for Nursing and Health Studies, for biomedical laboratory teaching and investigator initiated molecular and cell biology research focused on basic understanding of cancer and neuroscience. The Discovery Center, which was completed and opened in January 2006, houses undergraduate teaching laboratory space for students in the Departments of Health Systems Administration, Human Science, International Health and Nursing enrolled in courses with a basic health science laboratory component including human biology, microbiology, biotechnology and human genetics. Located on the center of the third floor of the historic Georgetown University Medical Dental Building, the Discovery Center contains a Basic Health Science Teaching Laboratory of approximately 1400 sq feet equipped with modern laboratory teaching tables and equipment for the undergraduate study of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and genetics including tissue dissection, microscopic study of cells and tissues, culture and identification of bacteria and other microorganisms, and separation and identification of proteins and nucleic acids. Adjacent to the teaching laboratory is a preparation and instrumentation room serving both the teaching laboratory and the new and interconnected 1200 sq feet Molecular-Cell Biology research laboratory that includes a separate cell culture room. The research areas are outfitted with state of the art shared core instrumentation that includes centrifuges, cell incubators, microscopes, DNA amplifying, electronic cell counting and electrophoresis equipment for up to six Human Science faculty to conduct their research with the participation and teaching of as many as twelve undergraduate student research assistants during any one semester or summer session. Tour the Discovery Center Molecular-Cell Biology Research Laboratory |
