Cell Biology
C-443 Sterling Hall of Medicine, 785.4302
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair
Ira Mellman
Director of Graduate Studies
Susan Ferro-Novick (254B BCMM, 737.5207, susan.ferronovick@yale.edu)
Professors
James Anderson (Internal Medicine), Norma Andrews (Microbial Pathogenesis),
Roland Baron (Orthopedics), Lynn Cooley (Genetics), Pietro De Camilli, Susan
Ferro-Novick, Jorge Galan (Microbial Pathogenesis), Fred Gorelick (Internal
Medicine), James Jamieson, Keith Joiner (Internal Medicine), Thomas Lentz, Vincent
Marchesi, Ira Mellman, Mark Mooseker (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental
Biology), Peter Novick, John Rose, Elisabetta Ullu (Internal Medicine), Graham
Warren
Associate Professors
Carl Hashimoto, Michael Nathanson (Internal Medicine), Michele Solimena (Internal
Medicine), Sandra Wolin
Assistant Professors
Karin Reinisch, Peter Takizawa
Fields of Study
Fields include membrane biology of eukaryotic cells (molecular mechanisms of
membrane biogenesis, traffic, and fusion; organelle biogenesis), intracellular
transport of membrane and secretory proteins, receptor-mediated endocytosis,
generation of trans-membrane signals, epithelial cell polarity and the extracellular
matrix, protein folding, membrane function in the nervous system (synapse formation
and function), developmental genetics, virus-cell interactions, cell biology
of protozoan parasites and of pathogen/host interactions, cell biology of the
immune response, cell biology of bone remodeling and of the cytoskeleton. Approaches
to these topics include biochemistry and molecular biology; yeast, Drosophila,
and Dictyostelium genetics; immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy; cell
fractionation; and antibody production.
Special Admissions Requirements
An undergraduate major in biology, biophysics, molecular biology, or biochemistry
is recommended; the GRE General Test is required; a relevant GRE Subject Test
is encouraged.
To enter the Ph.D. program, students apply to an interest-based
track within the interdepartmental graduate program in the
Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Five courses are required: CBIO 602a, 603a, 606b, 727b and MB&B 743b, in
addition to one elective. Students plan their courses in consultation with the
director of graduate studies to meet individual needs and interests. 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 a written
and oral qualifying examination at the end of the fourth term. In order to be
admitted to candidacy, students must have met the Graduate School Honors requirement,
maintained a better than passing record in the area of concentration, passed
the qualifying examination, and submitted an approved prospectus. 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. See Graduate School requirements;
this degree is normally granted only to students who are withdrawing
from the Ph.D. program.
Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies,
Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, PO Box 203333, New Haven CT 06520-3333.
Courses
CBIO 502, The Cellular Basis of Human Biology. 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.
CBIO 503, Histology Laboratory. Thomas Lentz and staff.
A laboratory in microscopic anatomy to be taken in conjunction with CBIO 502.
CBIO 520, Research in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology. Catherine Berlot.
Three ten-week periods of directed research/reading in selected laboratories.
For first-year graduate students in the Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
track. Also C&MP 520.
CBIO 601, The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Disease. Pietro De Camilli,
Fred Gorelick, and staff.
This course comprises an exploration of primary literature and critical assessment
of the data that form a basis for understanding human disease. A series of human
genetic diseases, whose mechanisms have been identified as a result of sequencing
of the human genome, are explored. Students are required to search out supportive
data, discuss it with the session leader and present it to the group. This course
runs in parallel with CBIO 502.
CBIO 602a and 603a, Molecular Cell Biology and Tutorial. Ira Mellman, Sandra
Wolin, Graham Warren, Mark Mooseker.
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.
CBIO 606b, Advanced Molecular Cell Biology. Peter Novick.
This seminar course, which meets once a week, covers several topics in Modern
Cell Biology. It should serve to introduce students to areas they might not
have considered in prior courses.
CBIO 676b, Responsible Conduct of Research. Mark Solomon and staff. Friday
4
Designed for students who are beginning to do scientific research. The course
seeks to describe some of the basic features of life in contemporary research
and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers encounter
in their work. Approximately six sessions during the spring term, run in a seminar/discussion
format. Also MB&B 676b.
CBIO 727b, Advanced Seminar Course. Susan Ferro-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. The topics this year
focus on the proteasome and proteolysis, the cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal motors,
and signaling systems. Each topic is spread over 3-6 sessions, starting with
an introductory overview and followed by detailed analysis of key papers.
Next: Cellular and Molecular Physiology
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