Courses

CBIO 502a/b, Molecules to Systems. James Jamieson, Thomas Lentz,

Fred Gorelick, and staff.

This full-year course is designed to provide medical students with a current and comprehensive review of biologic structure and function at the cellular, tissue, and organ system levels. Areas covered include replication and transcription of the genome; regulation of the cell cycle and mitosis; protein biosynthesis and membrane targeting; cell motility and the cytoskeleton; signal transduction; nerve and muscle function; and endocrine and reproductive cell biology. Clinical correlation sessions, which illustrate the contributions of cell biology to specific medical problems, are interspersed in the lecture schedule. Histophysiology laboratories provide practical experience with the light microscope for exploring cell and tissue structure. This course is offered only to M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students. This course runs from September to mid-May and is equivalent to three graduate credits.

 

CBIO 503a/b, Histology Laboratory. Thomas Lentz and staff.

Histophysiology laboratory provides practical experience with the light microscope for

exploring cell and tissue structure. This course is offered only to Ph.D. students.

 

CBIO 601a/b, Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Disease. Fred Gorelick,

James Jamieson, and staff.

M 4.30–6

This course emphasizes the connections between diseases and basic science using a lecture and seminar format. It is designed for students who are committed to a career in medical research, those who are considering such a career, or students who wish to explore scientific topics in depth. The course is organized in four- to five-week blocks that topically parallel CBIO 502a,b. Examples of blocks from past years include “Diseases of protein folding” and “Diseases of ion channels.” Each topic is introduced with a lecture given by the faculty. The lecture is followed by sessions in which students review relevant manuscripts under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Several special sessions are dedicated to technologic advances. In addition, three sessions are devoted to academic careers and cover subjects such as obtaining an academic position, promotions, and grant writing. The course is open to M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students who are taking or have taken Cell Biology 502a,b. Student evaluations are based on attendance, participation in group discussions, formal presentations, and a written review of an NIH proposal. This course runs from September to mid-May and is equivalent to three graduate credits.

 

CBIO 602a, Molecular Cell Biology. Sandra Wolin, Peter Novick, Thomas Pollard,

Craig Crews, and faculty.

MW 1.45–3

A comprehensive introduction to the molecular and mechanistic aspects of cell biology for graduate students in all programs. Emphasizes fundamental issues of cellular organization, regulation, biogenesis, and function at the molecular level. Also MB&B 602a, MCDB 602a.

 

CBIO 603a, Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology. Sandra Wolin, Peter Novick,

Thomas Pollard, Craig Crews, and faculty.

603a: Th 9-11

A graduate-level seminar course in modern cell biology. The class is devoted to the reading and critical evaluation of classical and current papers. The topics are coordinated with the CBIO 602a lecture schedule. Thus, concurrent or previous enrollment in CBIO 602a is required. Also MCDB 603a.

 

CBIO 604b, Systems Cell Biology. Carl Hashimoto and faculty.

T 9.30–10.30, Th 9.30–11

Introduction to the organization and function of cells within complex multicellular systems

as encountered in the human body. Covers major tissues and organs as well as the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems, with special emphasis on the molecular and cellular bases of developmental processes and human diseases. Lectures supplemented by electronic based tutorials on the histology of tissues and organs.

 

CBIO 606b, Advanced Seminar Course. Susan Ferro-Novick, Peter Novick.

This seminar course, which meets once a week, covers several topics suggested by the second year cell biology students. It should serve to introduce students to areas they might not have considered in prior courses. Each topic is spread over three to four sessions, starting with an introductory overview and followed by a detailed analysis of key papers. This course is run in alternate years with CBIO 727b.

 

CBIO 701b, Illuminating Cellular Function. Derek Toomre and faculty.

Introduction to the principles and practical methods of live cell imaging. Covers principles of fluorescent microscopy (including genetically encoded probes and physiological indicators), image formation, image detection, and image analysis. Includes hands-on demonstrations of state-of-the-art instrumentation, such as video-rate confocal and multi-photon microscopes.

 

CBIO 900a and 901b, First-Year Introduction to Research. Carl Hashimoto,

Shirleen Roeder, Michael Stern, and faculty.

Lab rotations, grant writing, and ethics for Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development track students.

 

Also GENE 900a and 901b, MCDB 900a and 901b.