MCDB Graduate Courses 2010-2011

MCDB 500a/MB&B 500a, Biochemistry
L. Nicholas Ornston, Ronald Breaker, Donald Engelman
An introduction to the biochemistry of animals, plants, and microorganisms, emphasizing the relations of chemical principles and structure to the evolution and regulation of living systems.

MCDB 505a/GENE 705a/MB&B 705a, Molecular Genetics of Prokaryotes
Nigel Grindley
Molecular aspects of the storage, replication, evolution, and expression of genetic material in prokaryotes.

MCDB 530a/IBIO 530a, Biology of the Immune System
Akiko Iwasaki, Peter Cresswell, Kevan Herold, Susan Kaech, Ruslan Medzhitov, Carla Rothlin, David Schatz
The development of the immune system. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune recognition. Effector responses against pathogens. Immunologic memory and vaccines. Human diseases including allergy, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, HIV/AIDS.

MCDB 550a/C&MP 550a/ENAS 550a, Physiological Systems
Emile Boulpaep W. Mark Saltzman
The course develops a foundation in human physiology by examining the homeostasis of vital parameters within the body, and the biophysical properties of cells, tissues, and organs. Basic concepts in cell and membrane physiology are synthesized through exploring the function of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. The physical basis of blood flow, mechanisms of vascular exchange, cardiac performance, and regulation of overall circulatory function are discussed. Respiratory physiology explores the mechanics of ventilation, gas diffusion, and acid-base balance. Renal physiology examines the formation and composition of urine and the regulation of electrolyte, fluid, and acid-base balance. Organs of the digestive system are discussed from the perspective of substrate metabolism and energy balance. Hormonal regulation is applied to metabolic control and to calcium, water, and electrolyte balance. The biology of nerve cells is addressed with emphasis on synaptic transmission and simple neuronal circuits within the central nervous system. The special senses are considered in the framework of sensory transduction. Weekly discussion sections provide a forum for in-depth exploration of topics. Graduate students evaluate research findings through literature review and weekly meetings with the instructor.

MCDB 555a, Molecular Basis of Development
Xing-Wang Deng, Martín García-Castro, Scott Holley, Frank Slack, Weimin Zhong
Current understanding of the molecular mechanism of cell signaling and development in multicellular organisms. Topics include the basics of cell signaling and experimental model organisms, cell proliferation and death, cell specification and determination, cell migration, hormonal regulation, and environmental regulation.

MCDB 560b/C&MP 560b/ENAS 570b, Cellular and Molecular Physiology: Molecular Machines in Human Disease
Emile Boulpaep, Fred Sigworth
This course focuses on understanding the processes that transfer molecules across membranes at the cellular, molecular, biophysical, and physiologic levels. Students learn about the different classes of molecular machines that mediate membrane transport, generate electrical currents, or perform mechanical displacement. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the molecular structures of membrane proteins and their individual functions. The interactions among transport proteins in determining the physiologic behaviors of cells and tissues are also stressed. Molecular motors are introduced and their mechanical relationship to cell function is explored. Students read papers from the scientific literature that establish the connections between mutations in genes encoding membrane proteins and a wide variety of human genetic diseases.

MCDB 561b, Systems Modeling in Biology
Thierry Emonet, Steven Kleinstein, Simon Mochrie, Xiao-Jing Wang, Steven Zucker
An introduction to the techniques of integrating knowledge from mathematics, physics, and engineering into the analysis of complex living systems. Use of these techniques to address key questions about the design principles of biological systems. Discussion of experiments and corresponding mathematical models. Reading of research papers from the literature. Students build their own models using MATLAB.

MCDB 570b, Biotechnology
Xing-Wang Deng, Kenneth Nelson, Joseph Wolenski, Ronald Breaker
The principles and applications of cellular, molecular, and chemical techniques that advance biotechnology. Topics include the most recent tools and strategies used by government agencies, industrial labs, and academic research to adapt biological and chemical compounds as medical treatments, as industrial agents, or for the further study of biological systems.

MCDB 602a/CBIO 602a/MB&B 602a, Molecular Cell Biology
Sandra Wolin, Thomas Melia, Thomas Pollard, Michael Caplan, Craig Crews, Pietro De Camilli, Haifin Lin, Joseph Madri, Mark Mooseker, James Rothman
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.

MCDB 603a/CBIO 603a, Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology
Sandra Wolin, Thoma Melia, Thomas Pollard, Michael Caplan, Craig Crews, Pietro De Camilli, Joseph Madri, Mark Mooseker, James Rodman
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 MCDB 602a lecture schedule. Thus, concurrent or previous enrollment in MCDB 602a is required.

MCDB 625a/GENE 625a/MB&B 625a, Basic Concepts of Genetic Analysis
Tian Xu, Lynn Cooley, Tae-Hoon Kim, Michael Koelle, Richard Lifton, Shirleen Roeder
The universal principles of genetic analysis in eukaryotes are discussed in lectures. Students also read a small selection of primary papers illustrating the very best of genetic analysis and dissect them in detail in the discussion sections. While other Yale graduate molecular genetics courses emphasize molecular biology, this course focuses on the concepts and logic underlying modern genetic analysis.

MCDB 630b/MB&B 630b, Biochemical and Biophysical Approaches in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Thomas Pollard, Enrique De La Cruz
This graduate course introduces the theory and application of biochemical and biophysical methods to study the structure and function of biological macromolecules. The course considers the basic physical chemistry required in cellular and molecular biology but does not require a previous course in physical chemistry. One class per week is a lecture introducing a topic. The second class is a discussion of one or two research papers utilizing those methods.  

MCDB 660a, Structure, Function, and Development of Vascular Plants
Graeme Berlyn
Morphogenesis and adaptation of vascular plants considered from seed formation and germination to maturity. Physiological and developmental processes associated with structural changes in response to environment discussed from both a phylogenetic and an adaptive point of view.

MCDB 670b, Advanced Seminar in Biochemistry and Genetics 
Sidney Altman, Ronald Breaker, Stephen Dellaporta, Frank Slack
New aspects of the molecular biology of RNA, ribonucleoproteins, and prions.  Topics include the localization and function of RNA and ribonucleoproteins; the role of RNA in dosage compensation, chromosome silencing, and gene regulation; novel ribozymes and RNA technology; prions.  Discussion; involvement and attendance are required.

MCDB 677b/GENE 777b, Mechanisms of Development
Valerie Reinke, Lynn Cooley, Xing-Wang Deng, Scott Holley, Zhaoxia Sun, Scott Weatherbee
An advanced course on the mechanisms of animal development focusing on the genetic specification of cell organization and identity during embryogenesis and somatic differentiation. The use of evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways to carry out developmental decisions in a range of animals is highlighted. Course work includes student presentations, critical analysis of primary literature, and a research proposal term paper.

MCDB 720a/NBIO 720a/NSCI 720a, Neurobiology
Haig Keshishian, Paul Forscher
Examination of the excitability of the nerve cell membrane as a starting point for the study of molecular, cellular, and intercellular mechanisms underlying the generation and control of behavior.

MCDB 721La, Laboratory for Neurobiology
Haig Keshishian, Robert Wyman
Optional laboratory. Introduction to the neurosciences. Projects include the study of neuronal excitability, sensory transduction, CNS function, synaptic physiology, and neuroanatomy.

MCDB 730b, Cell Biology of the Neuron
Elke Stein
A comprehensive course to neuronal cell biology. Basic principles of cell biology reviewed in the context of the developing and injured nervous system. Areas to be discussed include: Membrane trafficking, receptor signaling mechanisms, neurotrophin signaling, neuronal cytoskeleton, axon guidance, and synapse formation and maintenance. Prerequisite: one course in cell biology.

MCDB 735b/NSCI 504b, Seminar in Brain Development and Plasticity
Weimin Zhong, Elke Stein
Weekly seminars and discussion sessions to explore recent advances in our understanding of brain development and plasticity, including neuronal determination, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and developmental plasticity.

MCDB 743b/GENE 743b/MB&B 743b, Advanced Eukaryotic Molecular Biology 
Mark Hochstrasser, Anthony Koleske, Patrick Sung
Selected topics in transcriptional control, regulation of chromatin structure, mRNA processing, mRNA stability, RNA interference, translation, protein degradation, DNA replication, DNA repair, site-specific DNA recombination, somatic hypermutation. Prerequisite: biochemistry or permission of the instructor.

MCDB 750a/CB&B 750a, Core Topics in Biomedical Informatics
Perry Miller and staff
Introduction to common unifying themes that serve as the foundation for different areas of biomedical informatics, including clinical, neuro-, and genome informatics. The course is designed for students with significant computer experience and course work who plan to build computational tools for use in bioscience research. Emphasis is on understanding basic principles underlying informatics approaches to biomedical data modeling, interoperation among biomedical databases and software tools, standardized biomedical vocabularies and ontologies, modeling of biological systems, and other topics of interest. The course involves lectures, class discussions, student presentations, and computer programming assignments. Prerequisites: previous computer programming experience and permission of the instructor.

MCDB 752b/CB&B 752b/CPSC 752b/MB&B 752b, Bioinformatics: Practical Application of Simulation and Data Mining
Mark Gerstein
Bioinformatics encompasses the analysis of gene sequences, macromolecular structures, and functional genomics data on a large scale. It represents a major practical application for modern techniques in data mining and simulation. Specific topics to be covered include sequence alignment, large-scale processing, next-generation sequencing data, comparative genomics, phylogenetics, biological database design, geometric analysis of protein structure, molecular-dynamics simulation, biological networks, normalization of microarray data, mining of functional genomics data sets, and machine learning approaches for data integration. Prerequisites: MB&B 301b and MATH 115a or b, or permission of the instructor.

MCDB 861b, Global Problems of Population Growth
Robert Wyman, Fabian Drixler
The worldwide population explosion in its human, environmental, and economic dimensions. Sociobiological bases of reproductive behavior. Population history and the cause of demographic change. Interactions of population growth with economic development and environmental alteration. Political, religious, and ethical issues surrounding fertility; human rights; and the status of women.

MCDB 900a/CBIO 900a/GENE 900a, First-Year Introduction to Research
Frank Slack and faculty
Lab rotations, grant writing, and ethics for Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development track students.

MCDB 901b/CBIO 901b/GENE 901b, First-Year Introduction to Research
Karin Reinisch, Matthew State
Lab rotations and ethics for Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development track students.

MCDB 950a and 951b, Second-Year Research
By arrangement with faculty.

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Updated: January 12, 2012