Course Descriptions

Please see Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course descriptions at bottom of page.

GMS BI 751 Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Topics 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. Course Manager: Gwynneth Offner

GMS BI 776 Gene Targeting in Transgenic Mice

Introduction 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. Course Manager: Katya Ravid

GMS BI 777 Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

This 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. Course Manager: Matthew Layne

GMS BI 778 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. 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. Course Manager: Vassilis Zannis

GMS BI 786 Biochemical Mechanisms of Aging

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. Course Manager: Peter Polgar

GMS BI 787 Molecular Mechanisms of Growth and Development

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. Course Managers: Barbara Smith & Karen Symes

GMS BI789  Methods and Modeling in Molecular Biochemistry

This course teaches the concepts and approach necessary to model and treat molecular/cellular processes using physical tools and methods including computational strategies.  Competence in research methods and modeling approaches enabling exploration and quantification of biological systems is the course goal. Course Manager: Peter Bergethon

GMS BI 793 Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Functional Genomics

This 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. Course Manager: Catherine Costello

GMS BI 854 Biochemistry Student Seminar

Required 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. Course Managers: Carmela Abraham & Julia Yaglom

GMS FC 701 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences I: Protein Structure, Catalysis and Interaction

The first module of the Foundations in Biomedical Science course “Protein structure, catalysis and interactions” will provide students with a quantitative understanding of protein structure, function, posttranslational modification and the turnover of proteins in the cell. In addition, students will gain facility with thermodynamics, catalysis, kinetics and binding equilibria as they apply to proteins and also to other molecules in biological systems (e.g. nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins, etc.). This course is part of a series of four core integrated courses and additional elective courses aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. The four cores will be integrated in content and structure, and therefore are intended to be taken as a complete, progressive sequence. Course Managers: McKnight, Nugent. 2 cr, Fall sem.

GMS FC 702 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences II: Structure and Function of the Genome

The second module of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course will focus on the mechanisms of biological processes that influence the inheritance, regulation, and utilization of genes. Genetic and genomic, molecular, cell biological, and biochemical experimental approaches to understanding these processes will be explored. In addition, we will discuss the possibilities of utilizing these technologies in medical treatments. This course I part of a series of four core integrated courses and additional elective courses aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. The four cores will be integrated in content and structure, and therefore are intended to be taken as a complete, progressive sequence. Course Managers: Dasgupta, Viglianti. 2 cr, Fall sem.

GMS FC 703 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences III: Architecture & Dynamics of the Cell

The third module of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course will focus on the movement of proteins and membranes with the cell, the secretory process, the cytoskeletal framework of the cell and the resulting cell-cell interaction and communication with the matrix. Molecular, cell biological, and biochemical experimental approaches to understanding these processes will be explored. In addition, we will discuss the possibilities of utilizing these technologies in medical treatments. This course is part of a series of four core integrated courses and additional elective courses aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Science. The four cores will be integrated in content and structure, and therefore are intended to be taken as a complete, progressive sequence. Course Managers: Trinkaus-Randall, Zoeller. 2 cr, Fall sem.

GMS FC 704 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences IV: Mechanisms of Cell Communication

The fourth module of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences course will focus on the mechanisms of cell communication. This module will begin by discussing overarching concepts before examining the specific types of molecules that initiate and transduce signals. Examples of cell signaling and subsequent cellular responses will then be considered in different contexts to provide a framework on which future learning can be applied. As the module progresses, the complexity of the systems explored will increase from individual cells to multicellular environments such as tissues, organs, and organisms. In addition, normal processes as well as the dysregulation of cell-cell communication is disease will be studied. This course is part of a series of four core integrated courses and additional elective courses aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. The four cores will be integrated in content and structure, and therefore are intended to be taken as a complete progressive sequence. Course Managers: Symes, Hsu. 2 cr, Spring sem.

GMS FC 706 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences V: Molecular Metabolism

This optional module of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences curriculum focuses on the biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell and tissue-specific fuel metabolism. The course will present an integrated view of biochemistry and the control of cellular and organismal functions with regard to nutrient utilization. Classes include small group discussions of key papers. Mechanisms that allow cells to survive variations in nutrient supply (starvation, feeding, nutrient excess/stress) and how these mechanisms contribute to metabolic derangements contribute to disease pathogenesis (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cancer) will be discussed. Course Managers: Fried, Pilch. 2cr, Spring sem.