DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
3205 McGaugh Hall;
(949) 824-4915
Christopher C.W. Hughes, Department Chair
Donald F.
Senear, Department Vice Chair
Faculty
Dana W. Aswad: Regulation of protein function by covalent modification
Hans-Ulrich Bernard: Papillomavirus/cancer
Michael J. Buchmeier: Molecular biology and pathogenesis of emerging viruses
Paolo Casali (Joint): Human immune response to cancer and viral diseases
Melanie Cocco: Structural studies of proteins and DNA using NMR spectroscopy
Michael G. Cumsky: Mitochondrial protein import; regulation of gene expression in yeast
Hung Fan: Molecular biology and pathogenesis of mouse and human retroviruses
David A. Fruman: Signal transduction, immunology, cancer, leukemia, kinase, microarray
Paul Gershon: mRNA transcription and modification
Charles G. Glabe: Amyloid Aβ peptide in Alzheimer's pathogenesis; gamete recognition
Celia Goulding: Utilizing proteomic and crystallographic techniques to elucidate and characterize novel systems of protein complexes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Barbara A. Hamkalo (Emerita): Molecular basis of differential chromatin condensation
Christopher C.W. Hughes: Endothelial cells as initiators and targets of immune responses
Anthony A. James: Malaria parasite development; genetic manipulation of insect vectors
Thomas E. Lane: Molecular/immuno-pathogenic mechanisms of virus-induced demyelinating disease
Melissa Lodoen: Host-pathogen interaction, immune evasion, and parasite immunology
Hartmut Luecke: Structure-function studies of membrane-associated proteins
Rui (Ray) Luo: Protein structure and noncovalent associations involving proteins
Andrej Luptak (Joint): RNA biology and chemistry
Rachel W. Martin (Joint): Solid-state NMK methods development, protein structure determination, biophysical chemistry, physical chemistry
Alexander McPherson: X-ray and atomic force microscopy analysis of protein, nucleic acid, and virus crystals; structural immunology, structural virology; microgravity research on macromolecular crystal growth
Naomi Morrissette: Genetic, cell biological, and structure-function studies of tubulin and microtubules in Apicomplexan parasites
Edward Nelson (Joint): Tumor immunology
Timothy F. Osborne: Transcriptional regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis
Thomas L. Poulos: Protein engineering and crystallography
Rainer K. Reinscheid (Joint): Molecular pharmacology, G Protein-coupled receptors, GPCRs
Markus Ribbe: Fundamental biochemical processes in microbial systems
Donald F. Senear: Interactions of proteins and DNA in transcriptional regulation
Andrea J. Tenner: Molecular basis of the enrichment of human leukocyte function
Shiou-Chuan (Sheryl) Tsai: Structural and chemical biology of multisubunit enzyme complexes that make pharmaceutically important natural products
Luis P. Villarreal: Tissue-specific viral and cellular gene expression; viral vectors
Craig M. Walsh: T cell function, development, and homeostasis
Gregory A. Weiss (Joint): Bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, protein engineering, molecular biology and biochemistry
The research interests of faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry include structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, regulation, virology, biochemical genetics, gene organization, nucleic acids and proteins, cell and developmental biology, molecular genetics, biomedical genetics, and immunology.
The Department offers graduate study in conjunction with the program in Cellular and Molecular Biosciences (CMB) and the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP), which are described in a previous section. Students admitted into a 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. Participation in an advanced topics seminar series and completion of at least one course per year for three years are expected of all students. Students must advance to candidacy in their third year. The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years, and the maximum time permitted is seven years.
Graduate Gateway Program in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology (MCP). The one-year MCP graduate gateway program is designed to function in concert with selected graduate programs, including the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. Detailed information is available in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences section on page 536, and online at http://www.cohs.uci.edu/pharm.shtml.
Courses in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
(Schedule of Classes designation: Mol Bio)
200A-B-C Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2 to 12 per quarter) F, W, S. Individual research supervised by a particular professor. See areas of interest listed under Faculty. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
200R Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for First-Year Students (2 to 12) F, W, S. Independent research within the laboratories of graduate training faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for first-year Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. May be taken for credit three times.
201A-B-C Seminars in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2-2-2) F, W, S. Seminar, two hours. Presentation of research from department laboratories or, when pertinent, of other recent developments. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
202A-B-C Tutorial in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2-2-2) F, W, S. Tutorials in the area of research of a particular professor which relate current research to the literature. May be conducted as journal clubs. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
203 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (4) W. Lecture, three hours. Structure and chemistry of nucleic acids. Relationship between these properties and the mechanisms of fundamental processes such as replication and repair, RNA-mediated catalysis, formation and regulation of higher order chromatin structure and recombination. Prerequisites: Biological Sciences 98 and 99 or the equivalent and Chemistry 51A-B-C or the equivalent. (Coordinator, D. Senear)
204 Protein Structure and Function (4) F. Lecture, three hours. The structure and properties of proteins, enzymes, and their kinetic properties. Prerequisites: Biological Sciences 98 and 99 or the equivalent and Chemistry 51C or the equivalent. (Coordinator, D. Aswad)
205 Molecular Virology (4) W. Lecture, three hours. Primary research data on the major DNA and RNA viruses emphasizing strategies of regulation of gene expression. Utilization of viruses as molecular biological tools. Graduate-level knowledge of the biochemistry and molecular biology of macromolecules is required. Prerequisites: Molecular Biology 203 and 204 or the equivalent.
211 High-Resolution Structures: NMR and X-ray (4) F of even years. Lecture, three hours. Basic principles of magnetic resonance and x-ray crystallography toward the determination of high-resolution biomolecular structures. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2B and consent of instructor. Concurrent with Biological Sciences M133.
213 Literature in Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (2). Seminar and discussion, two hours. Exploration and critical analysis of recent primary scientific literature in structure, properties, and biological mechanisms involving nucleic acids. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 203. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Coordinator, D. Senear)
214 Literature in Protein Structure and Function (2). Seminar and discussion, two hours. Exploration and critical analysis of recent primary scientific literature in structure and properties of proteins, enzymes, and their kinetic properties. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 204. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Coordinator, D. Aswad)
215 Integrative Immunology (4). Lecture and discussion, four hours. Lectures and student presentations of primary literature. The main goal is to achieve a basic understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of innate and adaptive immunity, and how immune function is coordinated at a systems level. Same as Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 215.
217A Principles of Cancer Biology I (4) W of even years. Lecture, three hours. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are studied from molecular viewpoints. Also studies their role in cancer; viral carcinogenesis. Designed for graduate students interested in cancer research. Format includes lectures and student-led discussions. Prerequisites: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 203 and 204.
217B Principles of Cancer Biology II (4) W of even years. Lecture, three hours. Topics include cancer cell growth and metastasis, chemical carcinogenesis, and cancer genetics and epidemiology. Designed for graduate students interested in cancer research. Format includes lectures and student-led discussions. Prerequisites: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 203 and 204.
218 Clinical Cancer (3) F of even years. Lecture, two hours. Designed to acquaint students in basic life science with clinical cancer. Restricted to graduate and postdoctoral students. May be repeated for credit. (Coordinator, H. Fan)
221 Advanced Topics in Immunology (4) S of even years. Lecture, one-half hour; discussion, two and one-half hours. Literature-based, interactive discussions focused on review of seminal historic and recent immunology literature. Student responsibilities include reading, critical evaluation, and discussion of manuscripts. Prerequisite: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 215 or equivalent introductory immunology course.
221L Advanced Immunology Laboratory (4) S. Laboratory, four hours. An advanced course in immunology for graduate students enrolled in the Biotechnology master's program. Emphasis is placed on learning modern techniques in immunology such as ELISAs, western blotting, immunofluorescent staining assays. Prerequisite: graduate standing. Concurrent with Biological Sciences M121L.
223 Introduction to Computational Biology (4) S. Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours. The use of theories and methods based on computer science, mathematics, and physics in molecular biology and biochemistry. Basics in biomolecular modeling. Analysis of sequence and structural data of biomolecules. Analysis of biomolecular functions. Concurrent with Biological Sciences M123 and Computer Science 183.
224 Virus Engineering Laboratory (4) S. Laboratory, four hours. An advanced laboratory for graduate students enrolled in the Biotechnology master's program. Students learn to engineer recombinant eukuryotic viruses and express genes in mouse tissue. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
227 Immunology Journal Club (2) F, W, S. Seminar and discussion, one hour. Advanced topics in immunology as related to an understanding of human disease. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
227L Virology and Immunology Laboratory (5) S. Laboratory, four hours; lecture, one hour. Introductory laboratory course in virology and immunology designed for Biological Sciences graduate students. Curriculum includes plasmid preparation, plasmid characterization, microscopy, cell culture, transfection and infection of cells, cell counting, plaque assays, ELISA, Western blot, mixed lymphocyte reactions. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
228 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (4) S. An advanced course in genetic engineering and biotechnology for graduate students enrolled in the Biotechnology master's program. Emphasis is placed on learning advanced methods in assembling the gene for expression in bacteria, yeast, and human cells.
229 Research-in-Progress Seminars (1) F, W, S. Seminar and discussion, one hour. Two half-hour presentations by graduate students and postdoctorals to the department on their current research projects. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. May be taken for credit 15 times.
250 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology-Nucleic Acids (2) F. Lecture, two hours. Taken concurrently with 250L, supplements laboratory curriculum with scientific background behind experimental methods. Format consists of lectures and the presentation and analysis of relevant papers from the scientific literature. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 250L. Limited to Biotechnology concentration M.S. students or consent of instructor.
250L Biotechnology Laboratory-Nucleic Acids (8) F. Laboratory, eight hours. Nucleic acid techniques and recombinant DNA technology. Extraction and purification of nucleic acids, cloning and subcloning, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, nucleic acid hybridization, additional associated procedures. Students must demonstrate accurate documentation of data (laboratory notebook) detailing experience and results. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 250. Limited to Biotechnology concentration M.S. students or consent of instructor.
251 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology-Protein Purification and Characterization (2) W. Lecture, two hours. Taken concurrently with 251L, supplements laboratory curriculum with scientific background behind experimental methods. Format consists of lectures and the presentation and analysis of relevant papers from the scientific literature. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 251L. Prerequisites: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 250 and 250L. Limited to Biotechnology concentration M.S. students or consent of instructor.
251L Biotechnology Laboratory-Protein Purification and Characterization (8) W. Laboratory, eight hours. Major techniques of handling proteins and antibodies. Protein engineering, expression and large-scale purification of recombinant proteins from bacteria, HPLC, antibody purification, western blotting, additional associated procedures. Students must demonstrate accurate documentation of data (laboratory notebook) detailing experience and results. Corequisite: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 251. Prerequisites: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 250 and 250L. Limited to Biotechnology concentration M.S. students or consent of instructor.
255 Structure-Function Relationships of Integral Membrane Proteins (4) W. Lecture, three hours. Integral membrane proteins such as voltage and ligand-gated ion channels, water channels, pumps, cotransporters, and receptors (e.g., GPCRs). The emphasis is on the relationship between atomic structure and the functional properties of these proteins. Prerequisites: a grade of B or better in Biological Sciences 98 and 99. Concurrent with Biological Sciences M160.
292A-B-C Scientific Communication (2-2-2) F, W, S. Seminar, two hours. Small group meetings for graduate students to practice scientific writing, debate, and presentation skills. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. May be repeated for credit.
293A, B, C Cancer Biology Journal Club (1, 1, 1) F, W, S. Seminar, one hour. Focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of cancers. Covers a variety of cancer-related research areas, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA repair, metastasis, angiogenesis, and others. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Formerly Biological Chemistry 293A, B, C.
399 University Teaching (4-4-4) F, W, S. Limited to Teaching Assistants.