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.

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 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.

Available to students with a GPA equal to or greater than 3.00 and with consent of the instructor.

Introduction to computational biology and insight into the newest approaches for generating and analyzing large datasets from biological systems. Specifically, an understanding of microarray analysis, "deep sequencing," mass spectroscopic analysis and proteomics, sequence alignment and identification of motifs within DNA and protein molecules, clustering coordinately regulated genes and proteins, and structural modeling.

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.

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 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.

Students will carry out independent research under the supervision of a faculty in the field of molecular biology and genetics.

Formation of organelles, regulation of the abundance and function of organelles, interaction and cooperation of organelles with each other; proteins and other macromolecules: how they are synthesized within or imported into organelles; disease cased by deficiencies in organelle function.