Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids, including regulation, and to the structure and function of biological macromolecules. Provides suitable preparation for advanced course work in biochemistry, biophysics, and other areas of molecular biology.

Theory and application of modern techniques for the separation and characterization of biological macromolecules, including several types of liquid chromatography, liquid scintillation spectrophotometry and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Each student will carry out individual projects using selected techniques.

An introduction to the physical chemistry of biological molecules and systems. Principal topics include biomolecular thermodynamics, kinetics, transport properties, and biomolecular structure.

The physical chemistry of biological molecules and systems. This course will emphasis a statistical framework for understanding biomolecular phenomena. Principal topics will include electrostatics, intermolecular forces, ligand binding, and protein stability and folding.

Theory and applications of biophysical methods for the analysis of the size, shape and interactions of proteins and nucleic acids. Topics include analytical ultracentrifugation, light scattering, X-ray scattering, calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance and single molecule approaches.

Practical applications of spectroscopy in biochemistry and the biological sciences. Topics include fluorescence, circular dichroism and various spectroscopic techniques with particular emphasis on biological macromolecules. Analysis of raw data and interpretation of published results will be used to define the suitability and limits of these techniques.

Comprehensive introduction to the molecular aspects and dynamics of structural biochemistry. Examination of nucleic acid, protein, and lipid structures including current topics in conformation and folding, enzyme kinetics, nucleic acid stability, ligand/receptor binding, and bioenergetics. Overviews of experimental strategies used to study macromolecular structure and interactions.

Fundamentals of protein structure, and the forces that stabilize structure. Recurrent structural motifs, molecular ancestry/homology, and insights into proteins structure evolution. Protein folding and dynamics. Structure-function correlations, and structural basis of regulation. Techniques used to investigate structure: X-ray diffraction, NMR, TEM, AFM, structure prediction, computational simulations. Advanced topics: chaperones; structural genomics; role of misfolded proteins in disease.

Biochemical and biophysical characteristics of macromolecular assemblies starting at the atomic level and proceeding to the cellular level. Topics include ribosomes, viruses, polymerases, membrane protein assemblies and ion transporters, which will be examined through lecture, discussion, and interactive computational modules.

Overview of cell membrane structure and function based on a foundation of physical and biochemistry principles. Topics include lipid bilayers, vesicles and liposomes, cholesterol, membrane protein structure and function, transport, membrane fusion, receptors, drug/membrane interactions and membranes in cell regulation.

Open to undergraduate students with consent of instructor. Advanced treatment of NMR spectroscopy as applied to problems in structural biology, particularly protein structure and dynamics.

Hands-on training in heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy of biomolecules. Topics include protein folding, protein dynamics, binding of ligands to proteins, and protein structure determination.

Current topics in microbiology including research advances, impact of microorganisms on the environment and society, their role in health and disease, and applications of microbiological research in academic, government and industrial settings.

Critical reading of the primary literature focusing on how eukaryotic cells synehtsize and traffic secretory and membrane proteins. Emphasis on effectiveness of data presentation in papers.

Mechanisms of protein and RNA synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Topics such as RNA processing, gene splicing, and control of protein and RNA synthesis are discussed.

Biological, biochemical, genetic, and physical characteristics of viruses, with an emphasis on molecular and quantitative aspects of virus-cell interactions.

An analysis of the mechanisms of morphogenesis and differentiation with special emphasis on molecular aspects.

Examination of methodologies used to address cell biological questions: how they work, how they synergize, their advantages and disadvantages. Topics include detection and measurement of protein activities and interactions, molecular genetic manipulation of gene expression and protein function, determination of cellular localization and in vivo functional assays.

Genetic, biochemical, and cellular control of the immune system, addressing such topics as antigen recognition, immune regulation, stress and immunity, apoptosis, and signal transduction.

Integrative approach to the study of eukaryotic cell biology emphasizing structure, function, and dynamics of the cytoskeleton, membrane, and extracellular matrix.

Reading and discussion of papers from the recent literature. Topics include cytoskeletal function, cell motility, gene expression, and signal transduction, with special focus on their relationship to development, host-pathogen interactions, the immune system, and cancer. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

Methods and applications of genetic engineering, including gene manipulation and transfer techniques in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Emphasis on the application of recombinant DNA technology in the elucidation of gene function. Recent technological developments in molecular genetics and the societal issues related to these developments will also be addressed. Students will prepare a grant application or other written assignment.

Molecular biological techniques utilized in gene discovery and in the functional characterization of genes in animal development. Taught as a series of short modules, each focusing on a different set of techniques. With a change of content, this course may be repeated for credit.

Construction and implementation of computational pipelines that integrate available bioinformatics tools to perform processing, analysis and quality control of eukaryotic functional genomics datasets from ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and other high throughput sequencing approaches.No programming experience required.

An examination of the mechanisms of eukaryotic genome function and dynamics. Topics include, but are not limited to, chromatin organization, chromosome structure and function, and nuclear architecture.

The principles underlying 3D genome organization and function in multicellular organisms. Emphasis on genomics and imaging approaches such as single-cell and spatial omics. Topics include genome organization and gene regulation in normal and disease states, development, and evolution.

Consideration of such problems as chromosomal organization, mechanisms of meiotic drive, epigenetic inheritance, chromosome distribution, and transposable elements in model genetic organisms.

Current topics in genomics research including ethics, impacts on society, and applications in academic and industrial settings.

Reading and discussion of papers from the recent literature.

Research and development, regulation, intellectual property protection, and production of commercial services and products from the vantage point of the genomics, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. May be repeated with a change in topic.

Speakers from industry, government agencies, universities and non-profits provide advice about career paths, business models, hiring and employment opportunities.

Experiments in bacterial genetics emphasizing genetic manipulations using modern techniques for mutant isolation, DNA characterization and cloning. These include the use of transposons, DNA isolation, restriction analysis, gel electrophoresis, PCR and DNA sequencing. Each student conducts an independent project.

Molecular genetics of bacteria, archaebacteria, and their viruses. Transcription and replication of DNA, transformation, transduction, conjugation, genetic mapping, mutagenesis, regulation of gene expression, genome organization.

How quorum sensing, natural transformation and biofilm formation collectively control and bias horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in prokaryotes. The contribution of HGT to prokaryotic evolution via, for example, adaption to environments, generation of metabolic pathways, and how separate lineages are formed.

Overview of current computational methods for analyzing sequence-based microbial community data including amplicon-based, shotgun metagenomics and metatranscriptomics methods. Students will analyze published data or their own datasets.

Trains participants in techniques, experimental design, sample preparation, quality control, and analysis of data encountered in microbiology laboratories. Taught as a series of modules with each focused on a different technique. With a change of content, may be repeated for credit.

Advanced training in microbiology related technologies such as next-generation sequencing and other "omic" techniques including experimental design, sample preparation, library preparation, quality control, analysis of large data sets and processing of large number of samples will be covered. The course is taught as a series of modules with each focused on a different technique. With change of content, may be repeated for credit.

Computational analysis of biological datasets. Lecture will cover background and theory. In the computer lab, sample data will be used to perform bioinformatics analysis. The course is taught as a series of modules with each focused on a different aspect.

Topics in microbial cell organization, growth, and intermediary metabolism with emphasis on specialized physiological adaptations.

An in-depth examination of several host-parasite relationships as models of disease states.

Discussion of current topics in microbiology.

A reading course for those wishing to pursue special work in biology. It may also be elected by undergraduate students preparing to be candidates for degrees with distinction. May be repeated for a total of four credits.

Instruction in the practice of scientific writing through group discussions and peer review during preparation of an application to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Group discussions in related aspects of graduate student project development.

Presentations by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and other MCB personnel focusing on their current research projects.

Advanced study in a field within Molecular and Cell Biology. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

Professional communication skills focused on jobs in industry. Hands-on practice in writing resumes and interviewing.

Core principles pertaining to responsible conduct in research are covered through case studies, readings and classroom instruction.

Selected topics in cellular and molecular biology presented by invited speakers.

Provides entering Ph.D. students with research experience in three different laboratory settings during the first semester of graduate studies to assist with the selection of a mentor for their degree. Students are expected to participate in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, bench work, and other activities as defined by each of three host faculty members.

Introduction to general areas of research for Ph.D. students in Molecular and Cell Biology; includes specific laboratory research opportunities, laboratory skills and professional development.

Department faculty present seminars describing their research interests to help incoming Molecular and Cell Biology Ph.D. graduate students choose laboratories for rotations.

Conferences and laboratory work covering selected fields of Molecular and Cell Biology.