GMS
BI 751 Biochemistry
Basic principles and concepts of graduate level biochemistry in a one-semester
course. Instruction includes protein structure and function; mechanisms
of enzyme action; carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; bioenergetics;
metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides; DNA and RNA synthesis, structure
and function; and regulation of gene expression. Offner. 6 cr,
1st sem.
GMS BI 755/756 Biochemistry
A, B
Prereq: Organic Chemistry or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
This two-semester course provides the biochemical foundation for advanced
studies in basic and clinical sciences. Topics presented in the first
semester include the structure and function of proteins, mechanisms
of enzyme action, DNA and RNA synthesis, structure and function, and
regulations of gene expression. The second semester continues with the
metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids, the control of
metabolic processes, and signal transduction. Pilch, 4 cr, 1st
and 2nd sem.
GMS BI 776 Gene
Targeting in Transgenic Mice
Prereq: BI 755, 756; MS 753. 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. Ravid. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 778 Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease
This course is designed to give the student an overview and understanding
of selected disorders of the cardiovascular system and of important
questions currently being studied. Emphasis will be placed on molecular
and cellular mechanisms of normal vascular function and of vascular
dysfunction leading to disease. Clinical relevance and treatment modalities
will also be discussed. Appropriate experimental techniques will be
considered in the context of important concepts. Offered alternate years.
Zannis. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 780 Control of Metabolic Processes
Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756. Detailed consideration of metabolic
pathways and major sites of metabolic regulation. Catalytic properties,
cofactors, and methods of regulation functioning in the pathways of
intermediary metabolism are studied. Topics include: carbohydrate and
lipid metabolism, alternate pathways, photosynthesis, and amino acid
metabolism. Offered alternate years. Tornheim. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 781 Basic Pulmonary Science
GMS
BI 782 Molecular Biology
Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756. Advanced molecular biology using the
current literature as a source of information. Emphasis is placed on
relevant research techniques. Topics include DNA/RNA/protein synthesis
and function analysis of genetic disorders, gene therapy, molecular
biology of important cellular processes, and regulation of gene expression.
Farmer. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 783 Structure and Function of Proteins
Prereq (or may be taken simultaneously): GMS BI 755 and 756. This
course correlates the structure of proteins with their function. It
considers the universality of certain regions, such as zinc fingers,
calcium binding regions, DNA liganding sequences, in terms of their
three dimensional structure, and considers the effect of site- specific
mutations in these regions, on the function of the protein containing
them. Apoproteins, apolipoproteins, glycoproteins, structural proteins,
and adhesion molecules are used as examples of the correlation between
structure and function of these entities. Offered alternate years.
Simons. 2 cr, 1st sem.
GMS
BI 786 Biochemical Mechanisms of Aging
Prereq: consent of instructor. 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. Polgar.
2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 787
Molecular Mechanisms of Growth and Development
Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756. 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. Smith/Symes.
2 cr, 1st sem.
GMS
BI 788 Enzyme Catalysis
Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756. Advanced aspects of chemical, thermodynamic
and kinetic principles of catalytic mechanisms. Topics include genetic,
kinetic, and chemical methods of analysis of enzyme mechanisms; transition
state and mechanism-based inhibitors in the control of metabolic reactions;
allosteric regulation; enzymes as chemotherapeutic targets in human
disease. Offered alternate years. Kagan. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 789 Physical Biochemistry
Prereq: consent of instructor. The structure of water, its role
in protein or nucleic acid folding, as well as the part played by water
or by its exclusion in biochemical reactions, forms the basis of the
course. The role of uncharged vs. charged solutes, and the effect of
enclosure of aqueous solutions of macromolecules in semipermeable membranes
(i.e., modeling of a cell, as well as of the protein solutions within
it) are also considered. Offered alternate years. Simons. 2 cr,
1st sem.
GMS
BI 790 Receptors and Signal Transduction
Prereq: GMS BI 755, 756. The goal of this course is to provide
an in-depth description of the molecular mechanisms of ligand-receptor
binding and signal transduction. Emphasis is placed on the mechanism
of action of hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors. Individual
components of receptor-induced signaling pathways are investigated in
detail and integrated into models of cellular control. Relies heavily
on current literature and student directed discussion. Offered alternate
years. Sherman. 2 cr, 1st sem.
GMS
BI 793 Mass Spectrometry and Functional
Genomics
Preq: GMS BI755, 756. The application of mass spectrometry to
protein, glycoconjugate and carbohydrate structures has propelled developments
in proteomics and functional genomics. This course describes how to
use mass spectrometry to answer structural and functional questions
in biomedical research. Costello. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS
BI 851, 852 Special Topics in Biochemistry
GMS
BI 854 Biochemistry Seminar
Students present seminars on current topics in biochemistry. The emphasis
of this course is on effective use of the biochemical literature and
methods of improving oral presentations. Abraham, Panchenko.
2 cr
GMS
BI 951 Research in Biochemistry
Variable cr
