Anatomical Sciences (ANA)

ANA 811 Neuroanatomy
- Contact: Dr. J. Kolega, 829-3527

Biochemistry (BCH)

BCH 507 Protein Structure and Function, 2 cr.
Course Content: The primary objective of this course is for students to become familiar with the principal, broad questions in protein structural biology and the experimental strategies used to answer them. These strategies will include: kinetics; specific mutagenesis; and model design and analysis. Specific topics will include: steady-state and transient kinetics; protein origins of enzyme catalysis; folding pathways and protein design; and protein allostery in the gating function of ion channels.

BCH 508 Gene Expression, 2 cr.
Course content: The objective of this course is to familiarize students with up-to-date concepts and experimental approaches used in the study of eukaryotic gene expression. The main focus of the course is the molecular mechanisms involved in RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription. Specific topics include: i) the structure and function of RNAPII and required auxiliary factors; ii) the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional activation and repression; iii) the coupling of transcriptional elongation with mRNA processing; and iv) specific examples of the role of regulated RNA polymerase II transcription in development and cellular differentiation. Each week, 1-2 selected papers from the scientific literature will be discussed in class, with students taking turns presenting 1 or 2 figures and the instructor providing clarification and/or additional questions as appropriate. Grading for the course is based upon class participation (40%) and 3 one-hour quizzes (20% each).

BCH 512 Developmental Genomics, 2 cr.
Developmental Genomics will focus on how the spatial and temporal readout of the genome is achieved during development, and conversely on how forced changes in gene expression patterns can affect developmental processes. The philosophy of the course is that "Development never ends" and thus examples of processes from normal or pathological embryonic, adult and aging systems may be discussed. Each session will focus on one or more fundamental principles of developmental biology/genomics, using papers from the literature to illustrate the principle(s). Every effort will be made to demystify developmental biology and discuss state of the art experimental approaches to address questions about the genes required for normal development. While most teaching will be in the form of student presentations from the primary literature, brief didactic introductions may be presented by some course guides when needed. The goal of the course is to enable students to read papers in the areas of developmental biology and genomics, to critically evaluate them, and to propose experiments that will answer questions that are raised in the paper.

BCH 605 Biological Phosphorylation, 3 cr.
Bioenergetics, electron-transport and coupled phosphorylation, photosynthesis, protein kinases and phosphatases, patterns of metabolic control, second messengers and signal transduction, regulation of transcription, RNA interference, energy transduction mechanisms in motile systems, antiviral and anticancer agents.

- Contact: Dr. D. Kosman, 829-2842

Biomedical Sciences (BMS)

BMS 501 - 4 credits - Cell Biology I
This course concerns basic concepts and contemporary issues of cell structure and function. Topics covered include cell structure and function, protein sorting and trafficking, membrane transport and excitability, signal transduction and cell cycle. A combined lecture and conference format is used with lectures emphasizing basic principles derived from original journal articles. Conferences are used to review lecture concepts, present laboratory demonstrations, analyze original literature, and solve problems.

BMS 503 - 4 credits - Principles of Biochemistry
Topics covered include chemical principles of biologic systems; chemical and physical properties of nucleotides, amino acids, proteins and water; protein structure and stability; introduction to steady-state kinetics; enzyme mechanism; controlling enzyme activity; metabolic circuitry; glucose transport and metabolism; pyruvate metabolism; the TCA cycle; electron flow and Ox-Phos; glycogen metabolism; gluconeogenesis and the pentose shunt; fatty acid catabolism and synthesis; disposal of nitrogen: the urea cycle; amino acid catabolism and synthesis; integrating metabolism: fed and fasted states and exercise; structure of nucleic acids; physical properties of nucleic acids, DNA replication and repair; transcription and its control; RNA processing and Translation.

BMS 505 – 2 credits – Cell Biology IIA (Dynamic Cell Interactions)
Designed to further the study of contemporary issues of cell biology. Topics include overview of cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal structure, microfilaments and microtubules, cytoskeletal assembly, microfilament-based movements, contraction and transport, structure and function of gap junctions, cell trafficking, cell extravasation and adhesion. A combined lecture and conference format is used. Lectures emphasize basic principles derived from original journal article, while conferences review concepts introduced in lecture, present laboratory demonstrations, and analyze original literature. At the end of the course students will have a greater understanding of basic principles of cell function and techniques of modern cell biology.

BMS 506 – 2 credits – Cell Biology IIB (Cell Growth, Differentiation and Transformation)
Furthers the study of contemporary issues of cell biology. Topics to be covered include embryo germ cell and stem cell formation, apoptosis, cellular differentiation, angiogenesis, neuronal growth and differentiation. A combined lecture and conference format is used. Lectures emphasize basic principles derived from original journal article, while conferences review concepts introduced in lecture, present laboratory demonstrations, and analyze original literature. At the end of the course students will have a greater understanding of basic principles of cell function and techniques of modern cell biology.

BMS 509A -2 credits - IGPBS LaboratoryRotation (fall)
Laboratory rotations introduce students to disciplines, faculty, techniques and research strategies. Students participate in on-going projects in the basic science departments. These courses are designed to assist students in identifying their research goals while enabling them to maintain a more comprehensive view of the integrative nature of life sciences.

BMS 510A, 510B - 2 credits each – IGPBS Laboratory Rotations (spring)
Laboratory rotations introduce students to disciplines, faculty, techniques and research strategies. Students participate in on-going projects in the basic science departments. These courses are designed to assist students in identifying their research goals while enabling them to maintain a more comprehensive view of the integrative nature of life sciences.

BMS 511 - 2 credits – Interdisciplinary Seminar (fall)
Seminars are designed to introduce students to on-going research and various scientific techniques which will enable them to complete their designated laboratory rotations. Topics include intro/quantitative biology, solutions/acid-base, absorbance/fluorescence, microscopy, chromatography, monoclonal antibodies/applications, electrophoresis, recombinant techniques, PCR and mutagenesis, microarrays, protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein-protein interactions, transgenics, computers in molecular biology and health sciences library search sessions.

BMS 512 - 1 credit – Interdisciplinary Seminar
Under the direction of faculty facilitators, students will present current research papers followed by a class discussion.

Contact: Dr. R. Rabin, 829-3398

BPH 505 Biophysical Basics: Processes, 4 cr.
This course is concerned with fundamental theory and principles of various kinetic processes underlying the normal function of biological systems and membrane transport processes in biological systems. Topics include: chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, osmotic forces, membrane permeation of non-electrolytes and electrolytes, membrane transport and various ionic channels in excitable cells, membrane bulk transport and intracellular vesicle trafficking processes. Theories and principles developed to the state of current research knowledge will be discussed. This course is dual-listed with BPH405.

BPH 510 Modeling and Systems Theory Biophysics, 3 cr.
This course focuses on data analysis, mathematical modeling and computational analysis of problems in cellular and molecular biology. Topics are selected from a variety of areas and cover most commonly used analysis and modeling approaches. Topics include chemical kinetics, diffusion, spread of electrical signals, single molecule kinetics, DNA/protein sequence analysis, macromolecular simulation, etc. In addition to basic theory, students will also gain hands-on experience in the use of computers and various computer programs. Abundant opportunity will be provided for students who have specific interests.

BPH 575 Physics of Medical Diagnostic Imaging, 3 cr.
This course is concerned with the fundamental physical principles and engineering concepts that form the basis for medical imaging, particularly X-ray radiographs, ultrasound imaging, tomography, and MRI. Emphasis is placed on new approaches for neurovascular imaging, with particular relevance to stroke. This course will provide students with an understanding of the imaging modalities that are currently available for neurovascular imaging.

BPH 622 Channels, 3 cr.
This course presents topics related to the basic principles of membrane channel structure and function. The focus is on parameters that affect the biophysics properties of channels, particularly mechanisms of ion permeation and gating. This course will provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of channel analysis.

 MIC 512 Structural and Functional Organization of the Immune System, 4 cr.
Anatomy and function of the immune system, cell interactions, antibody formation, antigen-antibody reactions, cell-mediated immunity, biological effects of immunological reactions.

NRS 520 Neuroscience I, 4 cr.
This course provides the graduate students in the Neuroscience Program and other life sciences with a comprehensive overview of the principles that control the properties of neurons and their function in the nervous system. The course covers the structure, development and migration of neurons, formation and function of the synapse, and the general principles of neuronal excitability and synaptic function. The student is expected to gain 1) the necessary background to pursue in greater depth any selected facet of neuroscience and 2) an appreciation of the beauty and excitement offered by the intellectual challenge posed by analyzing how the nervous system functions.

Contact: Dr. M. Slaughter, 829-3240

ORB 500 Bioengineering in Dentistry, 2 cr.
M. Cho, course director. The course will focus on understanding of the principles of wound healing, functions of bioactive factors in healing, and biology and application of stem cells and gene therapy. Dentistry-related subjects such as development of periodontal regenerative therapy, dental implants, dentin repair, and the application of biopolymers for ex vivo generation of functional tissues will also be discussed. These topics will help student to understand the biological principles and the application of bioengineering so that ultimately vital tissues in oral and facial areas can be generated. Class will be in seminar, debate, lecture, or group learning format depending on topic.

ORB 509 Biochem & Genetics Oral Dis, 2 cr.
A. Sharma, course director. This course familiarizes students with recent advances made in understanding the molecular genetic basis of human diseases. A special emphasis is given to oral and craniofacial diseases. The genetic and molecular basis of several common human diseases is studied as case examples. Lectures include basic genetic principles, biochemical and genomic approaches in the diagnosis of diseases and gene therapy. The course is also intended to provide basic information on genomics in the diagnosis of human diseases.

ORB 510 Saliva/Salivary Glands in Health and Disease, 2 cr.
L. Bobek, course director. The course is a combination of lectures, student presentations and discussions focused on the current research advances in this field. Topics include salivary gland development, formation and regulation of saliva secretion, saliva as a diagnostic fluid for oral and systemic diseases, structure/function of salivary molecules, and salivary gland diseases, dysfunction and therapy.

ORB 520 Crit Anal of Lit in OB, 1 cr.
A. Sharma, course director. This is a ‘journal club’ based course. Topics include ‘cutting-edge’ advances in the field of biology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and medicine. The overall theme each semester is based on recent advances in above areas and is intended to keep students abreast with current research.

ORB 545 Dynamics of Bone, 2 cr.
R Dziak, course director. The cell and molecular biology of bone is presented with special emphasis on the interactions involved in bone remodeling. Hormonal and growth factor effects are discussed with emphasis on signalling mechanisms and cytokine production. Pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention is studied with respect to cellular and molecular effects.

ORB 531/OS 504 Oral Immunology, 2cr.
E. DeNardin, course director. This course is designed as a graduate level (Master, PhD) course on concepts in immunology that are applicable to oral biology. It emphasizes oral aspects of humoral and cell mediated immunity, covering topics such as oral vaccines, mucosal immunity, genetic basis of normal function as well as aberrations in immunological mediators, and host responses in oral diseases. The students are expected to have a basic knowledge of immunology although a review session on basic immunological concepts is provided at the beginning of the course. Emphasis is placed on the aspects of immunology that are directly pertinent to the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of inflammatory condition and diseases associated with the oral cavity and with oral biology. Although lectures based, the course relies heavily on research-based current literature and the students are expected to derive information from that literature and present a review of some of those papers in the last portion of the course. Discussion or medical and research topics is part of the course and the students are also evaluated on that basis.

ORB 517 Oral Microbial Ecology, 2 cr.
F. Scannapieco, course director. The oral cavity harbors a complex and fascinating microbial ecosystem. Recent research of this micro-environment has yielded many important findings relevant to mechanisms of oral disease, with implications for infectious disease and medicine in general.
This graduate course will discuss the mechanisms of oral colonization by the normal oral flora, dental and medical bacterial pathogens, review the biology of dental plaque formation and control, and the pathogenesis of oral infections including caries and periodontal disease. Emphasis will be on molecular aspects of important mechanisms. Material will be learned through group learning activities, research seminars, and student presentations. Readings will emphasize the historical background and conceptual aspects of each topic, while presentations will focus on methodology and research design.

Contact: Dr. L. Bobek, 829-2464

PMY 518 Pharmacology of the CNS and the Sensory System, 2 cr.
This course offering continues a series of courses dealing with basic principles of pharmacology and the mechanisms of action of the major drug classes. PMY 518 does not require prerequisites, although a basic familiarity with the principles of mammalian physiology and/or pharmacology is recommended. Three major sections include: (I) cytokines and other natural autacoids, and drugs used to combat inflammation and retro-viral infection; (II) sensory pharmacology including local and general anesthetics and opioid analgesics; (III) CNS pharmacology including mood altering drugs, psychoactive substances, drugs used for Parkinson’s disease and behavioral pharmacology. (Second 1/2 semester

PGY 505 Cell &Membrane Physiology, 4 cr.
This course is concerned with basic principles underlying cell and membrane physiology. Emphasis will be placed on membrane excitability, ion channels and their modulation by cell signaling pathways.

PGY 514 Vision, 4 cr.
This course is concerned with presenting a broad, interdisciplinary description of current topics in the visual sciences. It is an introductory, wide-ranging course on vision, encompassing the anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, and physiology of visual pathways in the retina and brain; the psychological analysis of perception; psychophysics; computer modeling of visual processes; and the engineering concepts underlying machine vision.

Contact: Dr. M. Duffey, 829-3286

No course listing
Contact: Dr. Robert H. Blessing, 856-6900 ext. 335  

GSC 640 Graduate Research Ethics, 1 cr.
Ethical issues related to scientific research and the use of animals and humans in research are among the major topics addressed in this course. Contact: Dr. D. Triggle