Relationship between structure, function and dynamics in biomolecules. Overview of the biomolecular databases and application of computational methods to understand molecular interactions; networks. Principles of computational modeling and molecular dynamics of biological systems.

The following objectives will be met through extensive reading, writing and discussion both in and out of class.Build a solid background in academic discourse, both written and spoken. Improve intensive and extensive critical reading skills. Foster critical and creative thinking. Build fundamental academic writing skills including summary, paraphrase, analysis, synthesis. Master cohesiveness as well as proper academic citation when incorporating the work of others.

Materials for biomedical applications; synthetic polymers, metals and composite materials as biomaterials; biopolymers, dendrimers, hydrogels, polyelectrolytes, drug delivery systems, implants, tissue grafts, dental materials, ophthalmic materials, surgical materials, imaging materials.

How do cells generate, store, and use the energy that they require? This course will cover in great depth the processes of oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and photosynthesis. In addition, energy acquisition by chemotrophic organisms will be discussed.

Molecular details of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Subject areas will include immune recognition, immunosuppression, communication between different immune system cell types, and autoimmunity.

The key areas of RNA biology, structure and function; splicing, polyadenylation, transport, translation and decay of mRNAs; the regulatory mechanisms governed by noncoding RNAs such as siRNAs, miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs.

This course covers the cell and molecular biology of pathogenic organisms, such as malaria, trypanosomes, toxoplasma, and parasitic yeast. Topics will include organism life cycles, host invasion strategies, methods of immune system evasion, and the evolution of parasites.

Proteomics and function, fundamentals of mass spectrometry (MS), tandem MS, chemical and posttranslational modifications, protein identification, data mining, protein complexes, protein folding, MS genotyping, high throughput; recently developed proteomics methods and their applications; focus on the recent scientific literature in this field including quantitative comparison of healthy and disease proteomes, the comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions in different cell types, and new approaches to analyze cellular signaling pathways and the subcellular-organelle and cell surface proteomes.

Cells have elaborate mechanisms for controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. In this course, we will explore in molecular detail the intricate signaling pathways that are important for cell behavior, with a major focus on those pathways that are conserved widely among many species.

Fundamental aspects of the molecular and cellular biology of tumor formation and cancer cells. Topics include cell cycle, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, the tumor's interaction with other cells and tissues, approaches to treating cancer, and novel experimental approaches for the discovery of mutations that contribute to tumorigenesis.

Function of different neuronal cell types and the larger organization of the mammalian nervous system: The topics include the molecular details of synaptic connectivity and its relationship to learning and memory and the causes of neurodegenerative disease.

Fundamental aspects of molecular and cellular biology of cancers with respect to developing cancer therapies; basic principles of cancer treatment, molecularly targeted therapies, cytotoxic therapies, drug discovery approaches, drug delivery systems, cell-based and gene therapies; discussion of research and review articles.

Advanced theoretical and applied methods in modern genomic research; classical and novel approaches used to solve problems in functional genomics and system biology; modern sequencing techniques and their utilization in biomedical research.

The advanced methodology used for modern biological science research. Topics include the interpretation of data gained from both hypothesis-driven and high-throughput experiments from research articles focusing on DNA repair, DNA replication, transcription, cell cycle, organelle biogenesis, proteomics and genetics.

The ability to communicate results and interpretation effectively is key to success in the biological sciences. This course will improve the skills of students in conveying their findings in lectures, research posters, and research publications.

Energy generation in the cell, energy storage mechanisms and use; the processes of oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and photosynthesis; energy acquisition mechanism by chemotrophic organisms.

Molecular details of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Subject areas will include immune recognition, immunosuppression, communication between different immune system cell types, and autoimmunity.

The key areas of RNA biology, structure and function; splicing, polyadenylation, transport, translation and decay of mRNAs; the regulatory mechanisms governed by noncoding RNAs such as siRNAs, miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs.

The cell and molecular biology of pathogenic organisms, such as malaria, trypanosomes, toxoplasma, and parasitic yeast. Organism life cycles, host invasion strategies, methods of immune system evasion, and the evolution of parasites.

Cells have elaborate mechanisms for controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. In this course, we will explore in molecular detail the intricate signaling pathways that are important for cell behavior, with a major focus on those pathways that are conserved widely among many species.

Fundamental aspects of the molecular and cellular biology of tumor formation and cancer cells. Topics include cell cycle, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, the tumor's interaction with other cells and tissues, approaches to treating cancer, and novel experimental approaches for the discovery of mutations that contribute to tumorigenesis.

Function of different neuronal cell types and the larger organization of the mammalian nervous system: The topics include the molecular details of synaptic connectivity and its relationship to learning and memory and the causes of neurodegenerative disease.

Fundamental aspects of molecular and cellular biology of cancers with respect to developing cancer therapies; basic principles of cancer treatment, molecularly targeted therapies, cytotoxic therapies, drug discovery approaches, drug delivery systems, cell-based and gene therapies; discussion of research and review articles.

Advanced theoretical and applied methods in modern genomic research; classical and novel approaches used to solve problems in functional genomics and system biology; modern sequencing techniques and their utilization in biomedical research.