Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology - Graduate Courses

MB 601 Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate organic chemistry and biochemistry. This course examines the relationship between protein structure and function. Topics included are properties of amino acids, peptides and proteins, peptide synthesis, protein isolation and sequencing, aspects of protein folding, protein-protein and receptor-ligand interactions, enzyme kinetics and enzyme regulation.

MB 602 Biochemistry of Bioenergetics (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate organic chemistry. This course is strongly recommended for students lacking undergraduate biochemistry. Examination of the major anabolic and catabolic pathways and their regulation. Catabolic pathways for the oxidation of hexoses, lipids and amino acids are considered. These processes lead to the formation of a chemiosmotic gradient capable of driving ATP synthesis. Discussion of the anabolic pathways starts with the generation of a similar chemiosmotic gradient by light absorption or other energy-releasing pathways leading to production of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides.

MB 603 Nucleic Acid Biochemistry (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate organic chemistry and biochemistry. Examines the biochemistry of nucleic acids, their function as genetic information and control over the expression of that information, nucleic acid-protein interactions, oncogenes and carcinogenesis.

MB 606 Molecular Genetics/Genomics (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate molecular biology or biochemistry. The course combines information from the most recent genomic projects with traditional genetic research methods to provide novel understanding of the role of the genome as the blueprint of life. Emphasis is placed on exploring the expression of genes in the context of the activity and function of the whole genome. Topics include genome anatomy, functional genomics, regulation of the activity of genome, genome evolution, poteomics, genome engineering, and computational genomics.

MB 607 Cellular Biology (back to previous page)
An introduction to cellular structure and function. Examination of the role of biological membranes in cellular activity and forming functional compartments within organelles. The function of other cellular and extracellular structures, such as cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. Additional topics include receptor structure and function, cellular signalling, differentiation and motility.

MB 608 Evaluation of Scientific Literature (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate genetics or molecular biology or biochemistry. This course will introduce the student to the organization, use, and critical evaluation of scientific information. Print and electronic resources will be explored through lectures, class discussion, and written assignments. Sources evaluated will include basic reference works, journal articles, electronic databases, and the variety of information accessible via the World Wide Web. Upon completion of the course, students will have the ability to locate, retrieve, and critically evaluate information sources for further coursework and research. In addition, they will be able to write their own scientific proposals.

MB 609 DataAnalysis in the Environmental and Biological Sciences (back to previous page)
The application of data analysis techniques in the environmental (applied ecology, environmental geology and chemistry) and biological (molecular biology, toxicology) sciences. These include applied univariate and multivariate statistics as well as geostatistical and non-detect methods. Extensive use of different types of computer software for data analyses.

MB 611 Molecular Biology of Proteins with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: MB 601 or undergraduate molecular biology and biochemistry. Techniques for working with proteins that are basic to the cell and molecular biologist and extend beyond the understanding of basic protein biochemistry. Course provides a theoretical understanding of methods commonly utilized for protein/peptide analysis. In the laboratory, students will isolate proteins from various tissues or expression systems and analyze them by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 4 credits; laboratory fee.

MB 613 Molecular Biology of Nucleic Acids with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: MB 603 or permission of the instructor. An examination of gene expression and the techniques available for manipulating DNA and RNA. This course utilizes an intense laboratory component to instruct students in the practical and technical aspects of working with nucleic acids. 4 credits; laboratory fee.

MB 617 Cell Culture Techniques with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate cell biology or biochemistry or molecular biology. An intensive laboratory course designed to provide the student with basic skills and understanding required for mammalian cell and tissue culture and fundamental techniques in cell biology. Topics will include aseptic technique, the culture environment, primary culture, maintenance of cultures, cloning and selection of cell phenotypes, proliferation and apoptosis assays, tumorigenicity assays and experimental design. 4 credits; laboratory fee.

MB 620 Bioinformatics (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: MB 606 or permission of the instructor. Students will learn how computers and information technology are applied to manage and analyze the vast quantities of data now being collected by researchers and clinicians. Using a combination of theory and hands-on practice, the course will cover biological databases, analysis of nucleotide and protein sequences, sequence polymorphisms, sequence alignment, analysis of DNA microarray data and intermolecular interactions. An introduction to web page development, relational database design and Perl programming will also be covered.

MB 622 Database Systems for Biological Research (back to previous page)
Prerequisite:  Undergraduate molecular biology or biochemical or permission of the instructor.  This course introduces the student to the design, use, and application of database management systems in biological research.  Topics include the relational data model, database design, structured query language and common database architectures typically used in life sciences research.  Emphasis is on problems common to bioinformatics, including techniques for handling large quantities of data, integration of multiple data sets and analysis of genetic data.  Lab fee

MB 625 Advanced Bioinformatics (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MB 620 Bioinformatics. This course builds on the material covered in MB 620, with an emphasis on developing custom solutions and automating bulk data analysis. A significant portion of the class will be dedicated to learning aspects of the Perl programming language important for bioinformatics, such as manipulation of text files containing sequence data and pattern recognition. Using Perl, students will learn how to mine data from sequence databases and automate use of web-based analysis tools. Students will also enhance their knowledge of HTML and relational databases, and design and create a custom database as a class project.

MB 633 Nutritional Genomics (back to previous page)
Prerequisite:  MB 606 or permission of the instructor.  This course introduces the priniciples of how to apply genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics to human nutrition in order to understand how individual genetic variation can influence the assimilation and metabolism of nutrition and how nutrition can affect the expression of certain genes known to be involved in chronic diseases.  Novel genomic research tools which can study the effect of nutrition on different signaling pathways and dietary sensors will be discussed.  Using the information from the latest genomic research, clinical dietary strategies for the prevention of the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer will be introduced. (Also see NU 633 )

MB 636 Immunology (back to previous page)
Study of the immune response in animals including cells and organs of the immune system, immunogens, MHC, cytokines, TCR, antibodies and complement.

MB 644 Cellular Development (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MB 607. The course covers control of differentiation and development at the cellular level. Topics include cell cycle control, embryological development, programmed cell death, wound healing and chronic wounds.

MB 648 Cytoskeleton and Extracellular Matrix (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MB 607. The cytoskeleton provides cues for patterns of division and the molecular motors needed for cell motility. The extracellular matrix also contains cues for the cells that are differentiating, providing highly localized signals and pathways for cellular migration. This course examines the roles of the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix in cellular movement, differentiation and function.

MB 650 Oncogenes and Cytokines (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MB 607. The products of oncogenes induce cancer in animals and transformed phenotypes in cultured cells. Often the products are analogues of cytokines or cytokine receptors. This course examines oncogenes and their role in transformation, cell cycle control and cellular differentiation.

MB 656 Receptor Effector Systems (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MB 601 or MB 607. Cellular receptors and their effector systems are responsible for the ability of cells to detect and respond to stimuli. These proteins are of critical importance to the development of drugs to control the function of cells. This course examines the structure of receptors from ion channels to DNA binding proteins, followed by an examination of the signalling pathways that propagate the signal through the cell. Also covered: the design and interpretation of binding studies for receptor ligand interactions.

MB 670 Selected Topics (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. An examination of topics of special interest to students and faculty. May be taken more than once.

MB 680 Graduate Seminar (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Weekly discussions of current scientific literature and student and faculty research projects. May be taken more than once.

MB 688 Internship I (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Laboratory and research experience will be developed under the supervision of an outside researcher. A portion of the internship must be devoted to the completion of a research report. The instructor will monitor the student's progress through regular meetings and evaluation of the final report.

MB 689 Internship II (back to previous page)
A continuation of Internship I.

MB 690 Research Project (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. An independent research project/program under the supervision of a member of the faculty.

MB 695 Independent Study I (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. A planned program of independent study under the supervision of a member of the faculty.

MB 696 Independent Study II (back to previous page)
A continuation of Independent Study I.

MB 698 Thesis I (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: 15 graduate hours and permission of coordinator. Supervised preparation of a thesis describing the student's research.

MB 699 Thesis II (back to previous page)
A continuation of Thesis I.