Building D, Room D440, Medical Sciences I; (949) 824-6574
Michael E. Selsted, Department Chair

Experimental Pathology Faculty

Rainer K. Brachmann: Cancer genetics; chromatin and transcriptional regulation; tumor suppressor gene p53

Jefferson Y. Chan: Regulation of genes associated with oxidative stress

K. George Chandy: Molecular biology and structure of ion channels; novel therapeutic agents

Luis M. de la Maza: Chlamydia trachomatis vaccines and sexually transmitted diseases

Robert A. Edwards: Mucosal immunology, inflammatory bowel disease, G-proteins, prostaglandins, and chemokines

Agnes Henschen-Edman: Protein structure, function, post-translational modification; fibrinogen

Taosheng Huang: Molecular basis of genetic diseases in human

Anthony A. James: Malaria parasite development; genetic manipulation of insect vectors

John J. Krolewski: Signal transduction pathways regulating the growth and death of normal and neoplastic cells

J. Lawrence Marsh: Regulation of growth factor signaling in patterning, regeneration and oncogenesis

Edwin S. Monuki: Cerebral cortex development and disease

Andre Ouellette: Mechanisms and regulation of innate immunity in mammalian epithelia

Ellena M. Peterson: Chlamydia vaccine development

W. Edward Robinson: Pathogenesis of retrovirus infections; molecular mechanisms of integration

Michael K. Samoszuk: Eosinophils in human disease

Michael E. Selsted: Molecular effectors of mammalian innate immunity

Andrea J. Tenner: Innate immunity; the roles of complement and phagocytes in health and disease

Ping Wang: Molecular hormone actions in the normal and diseased heart

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Experimental Pathology. The graduate program emphasizes experimental approaches to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease. Students work in laboratories studying topics ranging from infectious processes such as cryptococcosis and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome to innate immunity, including studies on granulocytes and antimicrobial peptides. The principal areas of research investigated by faculty in the Experimental Pathology concentration range from developmental neurobiology to cancer, including prostate cancer.

The Department offers graduate study under the auspices of the School of Biological Sciences and in conjunction with the program in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry (MBGB), which is described in a previous section. Students admitted into the combined program who select a research advisor in the Department begin following the departmental requirements for the Ph.D. at the beginning of their second year.

Experimental pathology makes extensive use of both animal models of human disease and studies on human tissues from human subjects. Therefore, the curriculum is heavily weighted on experimental models, including animal models, of human disease. The didactic teaching components of the track are supplemented by a twice-monthly Pathology research conference, in which postdoctoral fellows and graduate students present "research in progress" seminars. This seminar series allows trainees the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in presenting their research to other scientists and provides a mentoring process through which students gain insights from diverse scientific viewpoints.

Students must advance to candidacy during their third year. The normal time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years, and the maximum time permitted is seven years.

Courses in Pathology

200A-B-C Research in Experimental Pathology (2 to 12) F, W, S. Independent research for the Ph.D. program within the laboratories of graduate training faculty in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Corequisite: Pathology 203A-B-C. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

203A-B-C Advanced Studies in Experimental Pathology (1-1-1) F, W, S. A tutorial course for Ph.D. students in the Department of Pathology entailing attendance at Departmental seminars and critical reading of the scientific literature. Corequisite: Pathology 200A-B-C. May be repeated for credit.

204A, B, C Experimental Pathology Research Seminar (1, 1, 1) F, W, S. Seminar series for graduate students in Experimental Pathology. Students attend seminars and, beginning in their third year of graduate study, present one formal seminar on their graduate research. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

221 Immunopathogenic Mechanisms of Disease (3) W. Examination of the mechanisms underlying disease states mediated by immune dysregulation. Topics include innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, inflammatory disorders, and certain infectious diseases. Emphasis on biological basis of immunopathologies taught from reports in the original scientific literature. Prerequisite: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 215. Same as Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 221.

225 Molecular Mechanisms of Human Disease (3) S. Provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms of human diseases, including neurologic, hematologic, neoplastic, and infectious diseases. Students gain an understanding of these mechanisms, as well as models of human diseases. Same as Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 225.

230D Principles of Experimental Pathology (4) F. Introduces graduate students to the general pathologic processes that mediate disease. Topics include cell injury and repair, inflammation, immunopathology, neoplasia, and genetic diseases. Combines lecture, small group discussion, and oral presentations.

231A Pathology of Cardiovascular Diseases (2) F. For graduate students interested in human cardiovascular disease. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the heart and blood vessels. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized.

232A Pathology of Pulmonary Diseases (1.5) F. For graduate students interested in pulmonary disease. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the lungs and airways. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized.

233A Pathology of Renal Diseases (1) F. For graduate students interested in renal disease. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the kidneys. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized.

234A-B Pathology of Gastrointestinal Diseases (2-2) F, W. For graduate students interested in gastrointestinal disease. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the gastrointestinal tract. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized. In-progress grading.

235A-B Pathology of Genitourinary Tract Diseases (2-2) F, W. For graduate students interested in genitourinary tract or breast disease. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the breast and genitourinary tract. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized. In-progress grading.

236B Graduate Neuropathology (1.5) W. For graduate students interested in diseases of the nervous system. Students receive training in physiology, anatomy, and pathologic processes of the central and peripheral nervous system. Experimental approaches to study such processes are emphasized.

271A, B Molecular Physiology and Disease (4, 4). F of even years, 271A; F of odd years, 271B. Introduces students to concepts of molecular physiology and pharmacology related directly to human diseases. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Same as Pharmacology 271A, B and Physiology and Biophysics 271A, B.