David
C. Seldin, MD, PhD, Program Director
Joseph
Loscalzo, MD, PhD, Associate Director
Introduction
The Program in Molecular Medicine is an interdepartmental program
based in the Department of Medicine. The curriculum consists
of a year of basic science courses in the Division of Graduate Medical
Sciences followed by a second year of electives and an innovative
Molecular Medicine Core Curriculum. The Core Curriculum includes
courses in the Genetics and Epidemiology of Disease, Cancer Biology,
Immunity and Infection, and Organ System Diseases, and a course entitled
Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics: The Translation of Molecular
Obstervations to Clinical Implementation. During these years
and the intervening summer, students carry out laboratory rotations.
After a qualifying examination, candidates carry out dissertation
research in the Department of Medicine or affiliated laboratories
at the medical school. Candidates also participate in Journal
Club, the Evans Seminars in Molecular Medicine, and the annual Evans
Medicine Research Days.
Students
can matriculate into the Program in Molecular Medicine after completing
a bachelor's degree programs or through the combined MD/PhD program
at Boston University School of Medicine. In addition, MD's who
desire to pursue rigorous scientific training in preparation for a
career in academic medicine and research are encouraged to apply.
Students admitted to the program are offered full tuition support
and a stipend from the Department until they identify a dissertation
laboratory. Stipend levels are set by the Division of Graduate
Medical Sciences.
The
Department of Medicine occupies modern research laboratories on the
Boston University Medical Center campus in the Center for Advanced
Biomedical Research and the Evans Biomedical Research Center.
These buildings provide state-of-the-art research space in an open,
spacious environment that is fully supported by research core facilities
for computing, animals and transgenic mice, sequencing, microarrays,
and others.
The
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and it graduate programs
in the Division of Medical Sciences, as well as the Boston University
Medical Center-affliated hospitals, are based in Boston's historic
South End, an area approximately 1 mile south of the center of Boston
in a vibrantly renewed urban community. With three medical school
and many major universities, Boston is a rich and interactive biomedical
commuity and also a center of the biotechnology industry. The
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and the School
of Public Health are on the same South End campus, while the Boston
University undergraduate campus and other graduate programs are near
the Charles River in the Kenmore Square area of the city. Boston
is a cosmopolitan city with a rich academic and intellectual environment
and panoply of cultural, recreational, and sports activities.
Boston
University is a private institution founded in 1839. It is among
the top twenty institutions in the country in NIH-derived research
support. The faculty of the Evans Department of Medicine of
the Boston University School of Medicine conducts research programs
in basic biomedical sciences, translational medicine, and clinical
outcomes and epidemiology.
Application
to the Program in Molecular Medicine is through the Boston University
School of Medicine Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. Applicants
should forward an undergraduate transcript, a medical school transcript
(post-MD candidates only), and GRE, MCAT, or TOEFL scores, as applicable.
After review of the application, a personal interview with members
of the program is required. Admission to the program is based
upon objective evidence of academic excellence, research background
and interest, and the interviews.
A.
Application
Candidates
with a BA: candidates with a Bachelor's of Science
or Arts interested in obtaining a PhD from the Program in Molecular
Medicine will apply through the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
using the standard application process. GREs are required as
are transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of interest
in Molecular Medicine, outlining research experience and career plans.
An interview at Boston University School of Medicine with members
of the Admissions Committee is required. Candidates with outstanding
potential for research in the broad area of Molecular Medicine, based
on academic record, recommendations, research experience, and career
plans will be offered admission on a rolling basis. Students
accepted into the Program of Molecular Medicine will be expected to
fulfill all requirements of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
for graduation including 64 course credits, a Qualifying Exam as set
by the Program in Molecular Medicine, and completion and defense of
a PhD Dissertation.
MD/PhD
Candidates: Boston
University School of Medicine combined MD/PhD candidates may be
accepted into the Program of Molecular Medicine upon admission to
the MD/PhD Combined Degree Program. Other MD/PhD students
who have successfullly completed the first and second year medical
school curriculum, may also apply to the Program of Molecular Medicine
by sending or emailing a letter describing their interest in Molecular
Medicine and releasing their BUSM grades and application materials
and transcripts for review by the Admissions Committee, to confirm
that they are students in good standing. An informational meeting
with Molecular Medicine faculty is also recommended. MD/PhD students
accepted into the Program in Molecular Medicine will receive 32
credits for the basic science courses of the first and second year
medical school curriculum. Candidates will be expected to enroll
in additional basic science
courses appropriate for their research plans, particularly to be
sure their preparation in molecular biology is current, and the
year 2 Molecular Medicine courses. 32 additional credits are required
for graduation.
Cell
and Molecular Biology Program Candidates: The Cell
and Molecular Biology (CMB) program has approved a combined degree
program in Cell and Molecular Biology/Molecular Medicine. CMB
students who complete their first graduate year in good standing and
are interested in Molecular Medicine may be recommended for admissionss
to Molecular Medicine by the Director of the CMB program. The
Director of CMB or the student can contact the Chairman of the Molecular
Medicine Admissions Committee Dr. Herb Cohen (htcohen@bu.edu) and
arrange for an informal meeting to discuss the student's research
interests and planned academic program. Admission to the program
is dependent upon the availibility of a suitable laboratory and funding
for the students, and the ability of the laboratory or Department
of Medicine to meet Division requirements for payback for the first
year, determined annually on an individual basis. CMB students
interested in Molecular Medicine should try to rotate in a Molecular
Medicine laboratory as early as possible, and are encouraged to contact
Dr. David Seldin (Associate Director) or Dr. Cohen to discuss the
program.
Candidates
already processing an M.D. or M.A. degree: These candidates
should contact the Program in Molecular Medicine office about their
plans. They also will need to apply to the Division of Graduate
Medical Sciences, and applications should include transcripts, recommendations,
GREs or MCATs, and a letter of interest in Molecular Medicine.
Advanced standing for prior MD or MA coursework will be granted depending
on the specific courses taken, grades, and when they were taken, to
ensure that they are the equivalent of similar courses at BUSM.
Students entering with advanced degrees are expected to take the year
2 Molecular Medicine course sequence and appropriate electives, pass
a qualifying examination, and carry out dissertation research.
B.
Course of Study
Candidates
for a PhD in Molecular Medicine will have a variety of scientific
and medical backgrounds. To meet the stated goals of the Program
in Molecular Medicine, to provide intensive scientific training and
research experience culminating in a PhD, and to equip its graduates
to carry out independent research, the course of study will be individualized
for each candidate depending upon his/her background. This course
will be developed by each candidate and his/her Program Advisor in
the Program in Molecular Medicine, who will be assigned to the candidate
upon matriculation into the program. The program of study must
be approved by the Student Performance Committee. The program will
be divided into three parts: Part I, Basic Science Curriculum;
Part II, Molecular Medicine Curriculum; and Part III, Dissertation
Research. After successful completion of Parts I and II and
prior to initiating dissertation research, each candidate will be
expected to complete the Qualifying Examination.
For
graded course work, a minimum grade of B- is considered a passing
grade by the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. Division
rules state that students who fail 8 or more credits will be terminated
from the program. If a Molecular Medicine student obtains a
C+ or lower in any required course, s/he will be required to repeat
the course (s); the original grade will be carried on the transcript.
Credits in other failed courses must be made up with credits from
the same or other courses.
Part
I: Basic Science Courses:
A
typical curriculum for first year students in the Division of Graduate
Medical Sciences consists of 20 credits (10 per semester), made up
of formal course work and credits derived from research (see Rotations,
below) and attendance at Department of Medicine seminars and journal
clubs. The Program requires a first year basic science curriculum
for students consisting of courses in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
plus electives appropriate for the student's research interest (Cell
Biology strongly recommended). Note that the minimum credits
to stay registered as a graduate student is 2 per semester.
Of
the 64 credits required, a minimum of 28 would represent direct classroom
contact hours. Classroom contact hours would consist of required
courses shown in List A, plus an additional 10 hours of elective courses,
6 of which must be drawn from List B. Additional elective courses
shown in List C are representative and do not constitute all the possible
electives, which should be discussed and approved by each student's
advisor. It is assumed that students entering with the MD degree
will receive advanced standing for courses they have taken in medical
school, which may include the equivalents of Biochemistry, Microbiology,
Immunology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Genetics, and perhaps Biostatistics,
and would thus begin coursework with Molecular Biology and the GPMM
courses.
Part
II: Molecular Medicine Core Curriculum
The
Core Curriculum will comprise two semesters covering topics on the
scientific basis and research methodology of the molecular basis of
disease. These courses will be taught as advanced graduate seminars.
They will be required of all Program in Molecular Medicine students
in the second year and are open to other students in the Division
of Graduate Medical Sciences. In addition, students will round
out their basic science course work with electives appropriate to
their research area, as approved by their program advisor.
Fall
Semester, Molecular Basis of Human Disease. Four courses
are offered that will address major fields in the molecular basis
of human disease. Each course is two 2 credits and meets one
day a week for two hours. GPMM students are required to take
three of these courses and are encouraged to take all four.
Each course will have its own outside reading.
GMS
MM 701, Genetics & Epidemiology of Human
Disease, Wednesdays 10AM-12PM, course director
Lindsay Farrer (farrer@neugen.bu.edu). Topics include:
Human Genome Structure and Function; Population Genetics; Genetic
Risk Assessment; Non-Mendelian Inheritance; Approaches for Studying
the Genetics of Complex Traits; Chromosomes and Chromosome Abnormalities;
Principles of Cancer Genetics and Genetic Diagnostics; Methods of
Human Linkage Anaylsis; Identifying Human Disease Genes; Genotype-Phenotype
Correlations; and Applications of the "New Genetics".
GMS
MM 703, Cancer Biology, Mondays
10 AM-12 PM, course director David Seldin (dseldin@medicine.bu.edu).
This course will cover topics in human tumor biology including:
Tumor progression, invasion, metastasis; Viruses, immunodeficiency,
and cancer; Chemical carcinogenesis; Signal transduction; Anti-oncogenes
and familial cancer syndromes; Apoptosis and cancer; Cell cycle control;
DNA repair; Principles of Cancer Therapy; Immunotherapy of Cancer;
Anti-angiogensis therapy; and modern molecular diagnostics techniques.
GMS
MM 705, Immunity and Infection, Thursdays,
10 AM-12 PM, course director Tom Rothstein (trothstein@med-med1.bu.edu).
The course will cover: Clinical Assessment of Immune System
Integrity; B Cell Immunodeficiencies; T Cell and Combined Immunodeficiencies;
MHC Disease and Transplantation; Phagocyte and Complement Disorders;
Disordered Interactions Between Cellular Elements of the Immune System;
Defective Deletion of Lymphocytes; Allergic Disorders; Disorders of
Self-Nonself Discrimination-Autoimmunity; Defense Against Infectious
Disease/Bacterial, Mycobacterial, Fungal Infections; Viral and Parasitic
Disease; HIV/AIDS.
GMS
MM 707, Organ System Diseases, Tuesdays,
10 AM-12 PM, course director Joe Loscalzo (jloscalz@bu.edu).
This course will address current topics in the molecular basis of
non-malignant and non-immunologic diseases of man in the fields of
Cardiovascular Disease; Hemostasis; Metabolic and endocrine diseases
Genetics of renal disease; Pulmonary Disease; and Gastrointestinal
Disease. Examples of topics that will be covered include the
molecular basis of atherosclerotic heart disease and cardiomyopathy;
molecular basis of pre-thrombotic disorders (such as Facotr V Leyden);
leptins and obesity; chloride channels and cystic fibrosis.
Spring
Semester
GMS
MM 710 Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics:
The Translation of Molecular Observations to Clinical Implementation,
Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 AM-12 PM, course
directors, Martin Steinberg, Douglas Faller, Susan Perrine.
This course is designed to teach basic research, translational research
and clinical research skills to students in the Molecular Medicine
Curriculum, using a classical genetic disease, sickle cell anemia,
as a model. Students will first be exposed to the basic mechanisms
of gene expression, protein chemistry, pathophysiology, membrane biology
and transport, and then shown how to use this information to develop
molecularly-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to the
disease. By the end of the course, they will have learned how
to design and execute clinical trials of targeted therapeutics and
even how to mover such thereapeutics through the FDA approval process.
C.
Qualifying Examination
Mock
Dissertation Proposal: each candidate will prepare a Mock Dissertation
Proposal consisting of a 5-10 page proposal that follows the format
of an NIH grant application (see below). The topic selected
for this proposal must be submitted to and approved by the program's
Qualifying Examination Committee prior to preparing the proposal.
The proposal should be based upon primary literature and should be
the candidate's own idea for answering a specific question or set
of questions in the area of research. This research area should
be distinct from that of the candidate's planned dissertation research.
The student is allowed and encouraged to discuss the proposal with
their colleagues as long as they are made aware that the candidate
is developing a proposal for the Qualifying Examination; the proposal
should represent the candidate's fundamental ideas. The candidate
should not spend more than 3-4 weeks preparing the proposal for submission
to the Qualifying Examination Committee. Each proposal will
be critically reviewed by a small Mock Dissertation Proposal committee
made up of faculty in the Program in Molecular Medicine/Department
of Medicine or recruited from the graduate school faculty, as appropriate.
D.
Dissertation
All
research faculty in the Department of Medicine may participate in
the Program in Molecular Medicine. Faculty of other basic science
departments of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences may apply
in writing to Dr. Loscalzo for secondary appointment in the Program
in Molecular Medicine. Students will choose dissertation advisors
from amongst the Program in Molecular Medicine faculty faculty, generally
by fall of their second year. Choice of Dissertation Advisor
will be approved by the Program in Molecular Medicine administration.
Dissertation
Committee
Program
in Molecular Medicine students should assemble a Dissertation Advisory
Committee shortly after completion of the qualifying exam procedure.
This should be dome in consultation with their Dissertation and Program
advisors. The Dissertation Committee should be chaired by a
member of the Program in Molecular Medicine and should include the
Dissertation Advisor and three other faculty members, at least one
of whom should be from outside the Department of Medicine. Committee
members should be qualified to assist the student with his/her Dissertation
and examine him/her at its completion. Faculty from other institutions
who are particularly qualified to review the Dissertation research
can serve on a Dissertation Committee, but must apply to the Division
of Graduate Medical Sciences for a special service faculty appointment.
The Committee roster should be submitted to the Program of Molecular
Medicine and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences offices for
approval.
The
student should convene a Dissertation Committee meeting no more than
6 months after beginning research in the Dissertation laboratory.
It is the student's responsibility to schedule his/her committee meetings.
No less than one week prior to the first meeting, the student is expected
to provide the Committee with a research plan that should follow the
standard grant format with an abstract, specific aims, background
and rationale for the plan, and proposed experiments and methods to
be used in the Dissertation research. For the first meeting,
this document may be incomplete and subject to change, but should
be a well written outline of the proposed research. For subsequent
meetings, the student should provide a written update no lees than
one week prior to the meeting that highlights any modifications in
the specific aims or research plan and summarizes with figures and/or
text important data and results obtained since the previous meeting.
Committee
meetings may be planned to follow Sectional or Departmental research
presentations by the student. If this cannot be carried out,
the student will present to the Committee (about 30 min.) and this
will be followed by discussion (30-60 min.). At the conclusion
of each meeting, the Committee will meet in the students' absence
for a discussion of progress and concerns. After each committee
meeting, it will be the responsibility of the committee chair to prepare
a short written report summarizing the committee's evaluation of the
student's research direction and progress, and stating the timeframes
for the next committee meeting. This summary is to be sent to
the Program in Molecular Medicine office which will foward it to the
other Committee members and to the student.
Dissertation
Requirements
As
the Dissertation project progresses, the student, with the assistance
of the Dissertation Advisor, will form an outline of what constitutes
an adequate body of original research that is suitable for a written
dissertation. When this is approved by the Dissertation Committee,
the student will notify the Program in Molecular Medicine office and
may begin to prepare the written dissertation. Once the dissertation
has been written, the student is required to present a formal departmental
seminar followed by an oral defense of the thesis. The written
thesis should be delivered to the committee members at least two weeks
before the scheduled date of the oral defense. Each student
is required to provide the Department with a final copy of his/her
thesis before the Department will sign off on the necessary paperwork
in order for the student to complete his/her degree requirements.
The Department will have the thesis reproduce and bound and provide
copies for the student, the advisor, and the Departmental library.
