Biochemistry & Cell Biology

• GMS BI 751: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - Basic principles and concepts of medical school-level biochemistry and cell biology in a one-semester course. Topics include protein structure and function, mechanisms of enzyme action, nutrition and metabolism, membrane structure, receptor signaling, cell cycle regulation, DNA and RNA structure and function, regulation of gene expression and techniques in molecular medicine. Clinical correlations are provided throughout the course. 6 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS BI 752: General Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - This course introduces general concepts in metabolism, signaling, cell biology and nucleic acids. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS BI 777: Techniques in Biomedical Research
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - Success in biomedical research requires proposing, developing and testing a novel hypothesis. The generation of a novel hypothesis in turn requires the ability to apply the scientific method and then implement the appropriate techniques to address the experimental question. This course will complement the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FBS) curriculum by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the core experimental methods used in biomedical research. By the end of this course, students will master the concepts behind a wide range of experimental techniques and technologies and then be prepared to apply the most appropriate experimental system to a given biological question. Biochemical knowledge regarding "how things work" and "how to cook from scratch in the lab" will enable students to develop their own experimental research strategies. Specific topics to be covered include: the scientific method/lab basics, cell culture and gene transfer, protein extraction and analysis, DNA and cloning, PCR, DNA-protein interactions and chromatin, RNA and quantitative PCR, transgenic and knockout mice, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, next generation sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis of RNA-Seq data. This course is team taught and will use lectures, in class discussions, and focused problem sets. A concise final written assignment is designed to test the students' mastery of the subject matter.
• GMS BI 778: Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease
  The course deals with research topics relevant to cardiovascular disease including lipoproteins, atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, diabetes, hypertension, congenital heart abnormalities, gene therapy, stem cell therapies and others. Emphasis is placed on molecular and cellular mechanisms of normal vascular function and of vascular dysfunction leading to disease. Each session is taught by an expert in the field. Each student presents an original paper assigned by the instructors and writes and presents a review.
• GMS BI 786: Biochemical Mechanisms of Aging
  Prereq: consent of instructor. Current issues and key research advances in the understanding of the biochemical processes involved in aging of mammals are discussed. Theories on aging are analyzed, and age-related changes in gene structure and expression are presented. Alterations in the function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems with aging are also discussed. Offered alternate years. Polgar. 2 cr
• GMS BI 787: Molecular Mechanisms of Growth and Development
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - Examines the most recent advances in the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. Control of the cell cycle and regulation of the expression of differentiated function are discussed. The role of extracellular growth factors and nuclear transcriptional regulatory proteins are explored. Students present and actively discuss recent primary research articles. Offered alternate years. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS BI 793: Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Functional Genomics
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - The application of mass spectrometry to protein, glycoconjugate and carbohydrate structures has propelled developments in proteomics and functional genomics. This course describes how to use mass spectrometry to answer structural and functional questions in biomedical research. The course explores the background necessary to effectively design mass spectrometric (MS) experiments and interpret data. Students gain a full understanding of modern MS and its effective use in research. Lectures are devoted to instrumentation, ionization methods, applications to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glycoconjugates, nucleic acids and uses of the technology in proteomics, biotechnology and medicine.
• GMS BI 951: Research in Biochemistry
  Var cr
• GMS BI 952: Research in Biochemistry
  Var cr