Biochemistry Course Descriptions
Please also see Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course descriptions
GMS BI 751 Biochemistry and Cell BiologyTopics include protein structure and function; mechanisms of enzyme action; nutrition and metabolism; membrane structure and 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. |
GMS BI 776 Gene Targeting in Transgenic MiceIntroduction to the basic theory and practice of an approach applicable to many cell biology problems. Covers the following topics: early mouse development; gene targeting into mouse embryos; homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells; review of practical aspects of the transgenic technology; review of selected studies employing transgenic mice and chimeric (gene knockout) mice. Offered alternate years. |
GMS BI 777 Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular BiologyThis course will complement the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FIBS) curriculum by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the 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” will enable students to develop their own experimental research strategies. This course will be offered for 1st year PhD students and will use a traditional lecture approach, problem sets, and discussions. Offered Fall term. |
GMS BI 778 Mechanisms of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe 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. Each session is taught by an international expert in the field. The faculty includes several visitors from other US universities. Each student presents an original paper assigned by the instructors and writes and presents a review. |
GMS BI 786 Biochemical Mechanisms of AgingCurrent 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. |
GMS BI 787 Molecular Mechanisms of Growth and DevelopmentExamines 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. |
GMS BI 793 Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Functional GenomicsThis course gives investigators the background necessary to effectively design mass spectrometric (MS) experiments and interpret data. Instrumentation is described at a level appropriate to graduate students in biochemistry; the structure of biological macromolecules is addressed as it applies to MS. Students gain a full understanding of modern MS and its effective use in their research. Lectures are devoted to instrumentation, ionization methods and applications to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glycoconjugates, nucleic acids and uses of the technology in proteomics, biotechnology and medicine. |
GMS BI 854 Biochemistry Student SeminarRequired for all PhD, MD/PhD and MA students. Students present seminars on current topics in molecular and cellular biochemistry. The objective of this course is to develop oral presentation and critical thinking skills. |
