Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin of Yale University
 
Introduction
Degree-Granting Departments
Non-Degree-Granting Programs
Policies and Regulations
Financing Graduate School
General Information
   

Cell Biology

C-207 Sterling Hall of Medicine, 785.7462
www.cellbiology.yale.edu/
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Interim Chair
James Jamieson

Director of Graduate Studies
Carl Hashimoto (C-223 SHM, 737.2746, carl.hashimoto@yale.edu)

Professors
Norma Andrews (Microbial Pathogenesis), Roland Baron (Orthopaedics), Michael Caplan (Physiology), Lynn Cooley (Genetics), Peter Cresswell (Immunobiology), Pietro De Camilli, Susan Ferro-Novick, Jorge Galán (Microbial Pathogenesis), Fred Gorelick (Internal Medicine/Digestive Diseases), James Jamieson, Thomas Lentz (Emeritus), Haifan Lin, Vincent Marchesi (Pathology), Ira Mellman, Mark Mooseker (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Michael Nathanson (Internal Medicine/Digestive Diseases), Peter Novick, Thomas Pollard (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Elisabetta Ullu (Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases), Sandra Wolin

Associate Professors
Carl Hashimoto, Gero Miesenböck (Adjunct), Karin Reinisch

Assistant Professors
Jonathan Bogan (Internal Medicine/Endocrinology), Elke Stein (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Peter Takizawa, Derek Toomre

Fields of Study

Fields include membrane traffic and protein sorting, organelle biogenesis, epithelial cell polarity, membrane function in the nervous system (synapse formation and function), axon guidance, developmental genetics, cell biology of protozoan parasites and of pathogen/host interactions, cell biology of the immune response, mRNA biogenesis and localization, RNA folding, non-coding RNAs, stem cells, structural biology, cell biology of bone remodeling and of the cytoskeleton, cellular signaling and motility, cytokinesis. Approaches to these topics include biochemistry, molecular biology, and macromolecular crystallography; bacterial, yeast, Drosophila, and mouse genetics; immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy; cell fractionation; and live cell imaging.

Special Admissions Requirements

An undergraduate major in the biological sciences is recommended. GRE General Test is required; GRE Subject Test recommended (in Biology or in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology).

To enter the Ph.D. program, students apply to an interest-based track, usually the Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development track, in the combined program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), http://info.med.yale.edu/bbs.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

Students are required to take at least five graduate-level courses. No specific curriculum of courses is required, but CBIO 602a (Molecular Cell Biology) is recommended for all students to attain a solid foundation in molecular cell biology. Also recommended is a seminar course, such as CBIO 603a (Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology) or CBIO 606b (Advanced Seminar Course), in which students can develop the skill for critical analysis of research papers. Students design their own curriculum of courses to meet individual interests and needs, in consultation with the director of graduate studies. During the first year, students are also required to participate in three laboratory rotations. In the second year, a committee of faculty members determines whether each student is qualified to continue in the Ph.D. program. There is an oral qualifying examination by the end of the third term. In order to be admitted to candidacy, students must have met the Graduate School Honors requirement, maintained a High Pass average in course work, passed the qualifying examination, submitted an approved prospectus, and received a positive evaluation of their laboratory work from the thesis committee. The remaining degree requirements include completion of the dissertation project and the writing of the dissertation and its oral defense, the formal submission of copies of the written dissertation to the Graduate School, and the deposit of an additional copy with the department. Laboratory rotations and thesis research may be conducted outside of the department.

An important aspect of graduate training in cell biology is the acquisition of teaching skills through participation in courses appropriate for the student’s scientific interests. These opportunities can be drawn from a diverse menu of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses given at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school level. Ph.D. students are expected to participate in two terms (or the equivalent) of teaching. Students are not expected to teach during their first year.

Master’s Degrees

M.Phil. Requirements for the M.Phil. degree are the same as for admission to candidacy (see above).
M.S. This degree is normally granted only to students who are withdrawing from the Ph.D. program. To be eligible for the degree, a student must pass at least five graduate-level term courses at Yale, including CBIO 602a, Molecular Cell Biology, and a seminar course as recommended above, with at least one grade of Honors or three of High Pass.


Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the BBS Web site (info.med.yale.edu/bbs), MCGD Track. Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, PO Box 208002, New Haven CT 06520-8002.

Courses

CBIO 502a/b, Molecules to Systems.  James Jamieson, Thomas Lentz, Fred Gorelick, and staff.
This full-year course is designed to provide medical students with a current and comprehensive review of biologic structure and function at the cellular, tissue, and organ system levels. Areas covered include replication and transcription of the genome; regulation of the cell cycle and mitosis; protein biosynthesis and membrane targeting; cell motility and the cytoskeleton; signal transduction; nerve and muscle function; and endocrine and reproductive cell biology. Clinical correlation sessions, which illustrate the contributions of cell biology to specific medical problems, are interspersed in the lecture schedule. Histophysiology laboratories provide practical experience with the light microscope for exploring cell and tissue structure. This course is offered only to M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students. This course runs from September to mid-May and is equivalent to three graduate credits.

CBIO 503a/b, Histology Laboratory.  Thomas Lentz and staff.
Histophysiology laboratory provides practical experience with the light microscope for exploring cell and tissue structure. This course is offered only to Ph.D. students.

CBIO 601a/b, Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Disease.  Fred Gorelick, James Jamieson, and staff.
M 4.30–6
This course emphasizes the connections between diseases and basic science using a lecture and seminar format. It is designed for students who are committed to a career in medical research, those who are considering such a career, or students who wish to explore scientific topics in depth. The course is organized in four- to five-week blocks that topically parallel CBIO 502a,b. Examples of blocks from past years include “Diseases of protein folding” and “Diseases of ion channels.” Each topic is introduced with a lecture given by the faculty. The lecture is followed by sessions in which students review relevant manuscripts under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Several special sessions are dedicated to technologic advances. In addition, three sessions are devoted to academic careers and cover subjects such as obtaining an academic position, promotions, and grant writing. The course is open to M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students who are taking or have taken Cell Biology 502a,b. Student evaluations are based on attendance, participation in group discussions, formal presentations, and a written review of an NIH proposal. This course runs from September to mid-May and is equivalent to three graduate credits.

CBIO 602a, Molecular Cell Biology.  Sandra Wolin, Peter Novick, Thomas Pollard, Craig Crews, and faculty.
MW 1.45–3
A comprehensive introduction to the molecular and mechanistic aspects of cell biology for graduate students in all programs. Emphasizes fundamental issues of cellular organization, regulation, biogenesis, and function at the molecular level. Also MB&B 602a, MCDB 602a.

CBIO 603a, Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology.  Sandra Wolin, Peter Novick, Thomas Pollard, and faculty.
Th 9–11
A graduate-level seminar course in modern cell biology. The class is devoted to the reading and critical evaluation of classical and current papers. The topics are coordinated with the CBIO 602a lecture schedule. Thus, concurrent or previous enrollment in CBIO 602a is required. Also MCDB 603a.

CBIO 604b, Systems Cell Biology.  Carl Hashimoto and faculty.
T 9.30–10.30, Th 9.30–11
Introduction to the organization and function of cells within complex multicellular systems as encountered in the human body. Covers major tissues and organs as well as the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems, with special emphasis on the molecular and cellular bases of developmental processes and human diseases. Lectures supplemented by electronic-based tutorials on the histology of tissues and organs.

CBIO 606b, Advanced Seminar Course.  Susan Ferro-Novick, Peter Novick.
This seminar course, which meets once a week, covers several topics suggested by the second-year cell biology students. It should serve to introduce students to areas they might not have considered in prior courses. Each topic is spread over three to four sessions, starting with an introductory overview and followed by a detailed analysis of key papers. This course is run in alternate years with CBIO 727b.

CBIO 701b, Illuminating Cellular Function.  Derek Toomre and faculty.
Introduction to the principles and practical methods of live cell imaging. Covers principles of fluorescent microscopy (including genetically encoded probes and physiological indicators), image formation, image detection, and image analysis. Includes hands-on demonstrations of state-of-the-art instrumentation, such as video-rate confocal and multi-photon microscopes.

CBIO 900a and 901b, First-Year Introduction to Research.  Carl Hashimoto, Shirleen Roeder, Michael Stern, and faculty.
Lab rotations, grant writing, and ethics for Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development track students. Also GENE 900a and 901b, MCDB 900a and 901b.

Next: Cellular and Molecular Physiology