Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Building B, Room 240, Medical Sciences I; (949) 824-5261
Bert L. Semler, Department Chair
Faculty
Alan G. Barbour: Microbial pathogenesis
Dennis D. Cunningham: Proteases and protease nexins: regulation of neural cells
Alan L. Goldin: Molecular analysis of ion channel function
Sidney H. Golub: Cellular immunity and tumor biology
George A. Gutman: Potassium channel and immunoglobulin super-family genes
G. Wesley Hatfield: Effects of DNA topology on transcription
W. Ian Lipkin: Molecular/cellular biology of neurotropic viruses; Borna disease virus; animal models for neuropsychiatric diseases; viral vectors for targeted CNS delivery
W. Edward Robinson: Molecular pathogenesis of Lentivirus infection and drug discovery against HIV
Suzanne B. Sandmeyer: Molecular genetics of a position-specific yeast retrovirus-like element
Rozanne M. Sandri-Goldin: Regulatory functions of a post-transcriptionally acting herpes virus protein
Michael E. Selsted: Host defense systems in phagocytic leukocytes and mucosal epithelium
Bert L. Semler: Replication of picornavirus RNAs; RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions
Eric J. Stanbridge: Tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in human cancer
Marian L. Waterman: Regulation of transcription in human T lymphocytes
The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics provides advanced training to individuals interested in the regulation of gene expression and the structural and functional properties of proteins encoded by these genes. The research interests of the Department focus on the molecular biology and genetics of viruses, bacteria, and yeast; the fundamentals of the immune response; the molecular biology of cultured animal cells; the genetic basis of cancer; and the genetics and physiology of infectious agents.
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, 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 third year.
Participation in the Department's seminar series and completion of at least one advanced topics course per year for three years are expected of all students. In their third year, students take the advancement-to-candidacy examination for the Ph.D. degree by presenting and defending a proposal for specific dissertation research. Completion of the Ph.D. normally requires five years of graduate study.
Course descriptions may be found in the School of Biological Sciences section.
360 Medical Surge II; (949) 824-7651
Larry Stein, Department Chair
Olivier Civelli, Graduate Program Director
Faculty
James D. Belluzzi: Neuropharmacology of reinforcement and memory; operant conditioning of single neurons; dopaminergic mechanisms in stimulant abuse
Stephen C. Bondy: Mechanisms of neural regenerative responses to neurological insults
Olivier Civelli: Molecular biology of G protein-coupled receptors; search for novel neurotransmitters and neuropeptides; pharmacological and behavioral characterizations of the novel neurotransmitters and neuropeotides
Sue Piper Duckles: Pharmacology and physiology of vascular smooth muscle; regulation of cerebral circulation, pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system
Frederick J. Ehlert: Muscarinic receptor coupling mechanisms; subtypes of muscarinic receptors
Kelvin W. Gee: Pharmacology of allosteric modulators of the GABAA receptor
Diana N. Krause: Cerebrovascular and neurotransmitter pharmacology; regulation of the blood-brain barrier
Frances M. Leslie: Effects of drugs of abuse on central nervous system development
Ellis R. Levin: Neuroendocrinology and neurobiology of hypothalmic peptides; molecular biology of atrial natriuretic peptides and their receptors
Ralph E. Purdy: Vascular neurotransmitter receptors, second messengers and signal transduction
Larry Stein: Neurochemistry of reward, punishment, and long-term memory
Qun-Yong Zhou: Molecular mechanisms of dopamine receptor signaling; developmental and behavioral consequences in transgenic mice with perturbed dopamine signaling
Graduate instruction and research in pharmacology leading to the M.S. and Ph.D in Pharmacology and Toxicology is offered by the Department of Pharmacology. The Department is engaged in a broad scope of research activity. Faculty research interests include the mechanisms of action and effects of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior, on skeletal muscle, heart and blood vessels, and on basic processes in these tissues.
Prerequisites for admission include a background in the physical and biological sciences which includes courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry, including laboratory experience. The Graduate Record Examination and Subject Test in Biology or Chemistry are required. Primary emphasis in the Department's graduate program is placed on training leading to the Ph.D. in Pharmacology; under exceptional circumstances a student may be admitted initially into the M.S. program.
The graduate core program includes Pharmacology 241A-B, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, and 257, quarterly participation in Pharmacology 298, and any additional elective courses assigned by faculty advisors. The major additional requirement for the Ph.D. is the satisfactory completion and oral defense of a dissertation based on original research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member. All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to engage in research activities throughout the course of their academic programs. This requirement applies to all students whether or not they are compensated for such services. An appointment as a research assistant is awarded on the basis of scholarship and not as compensation for services rendered. Before advancing to candidacy each student must pass a written qualifying examination to determine the student's competence in pharmacology or pharmacology and toxicology. The full-time student is expected to pass the written qualifying examination by the eighth quarter and the oral qualifying examination for the Ph.D. by the eleventh quarter. All requirements for the Ph.D. degree should be completed within four to five years. For more information, contact the Graduate Advisor, Department of Pharmacology.
210 Chemical Neuroanatomy (4). Lecture, two hours; seminar, two hours. Organization of the nervous system, especially with respect to chemical identity of elements, for students of pharmacology. Major cell types, methods of study, ultrastructure, synaptic organization of functionally defined systems, localization of chemically defined cells and receptors, and brain development.
241A-B Medical Pharmacology (6-6) F, W. Lecture, eight hours. Mechanism of action, toxicology, and usage of chemical agents in medical practice. Dose-response and time relationships, absorption, metabolism, excretion, and differences in systematic and species response. Poisons, principles of toxic action, and toxicity evaluation. Sources of toxicants in the environment. Prescription writing. Prerequisites: Physiology and Biophysics 206A-B and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 210A-B.
248A-B-C Advanced Topics in Pharmacology (4-4-4). Lecture, conferences, seminars, four hours. A detailed study of important areas of pharmacology integrating biochemical, pathological, physiological, behavioral, and clinical aspects with emphasis on mechanism of action of drugs. Prerequisites: Pharmacology 241A-B.
252 Neurotransmitter and Drug Receptors (6) W. Lecture, three hours. Seminar, three hours. Evolution of the receptor concept, analysis of receptor properties by bioassay methodology, receptor binding studies, solubilization and purification of receptors, electrophysiologic analysis of receptor channels, and cell biology of receptors.
253 Pharmacology of the Cardiovascular System (4) S. Lecture, one hour; seminar, two hours. Important aspects of cardiovascular pharmacology including adrenergic neurotransmission and the pharmacology of calcium; neuronal uptake, storage, and release of catecholamines; postsynaptic alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors; calcium entry and intracellular release; calcium channel agonists and antagonists; calmodulin; inositol phosphate mechanisms. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
254 Methods in Pharmacology (4 to 12) Summer. Lecture, four hours; laboratory, eight hours. Isolated tissues for receptor characterization, autoradiography, tissue culture, electrophysiological measurements, behavioral assays, radioligand binding methods, chromatography, centrifugation and other methods for subcellular tissue preparation, small animal handling, synaptosomes, and isolated tissues for the study of neurotransmission. May be taken for credit three times with consent of instructor. Letter grade only the first time taken, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only thereafter.
255 Central Nervous System Pharmacology: Disease Processes (4) S. Seminar, two hours. The molecular mechanisms and pharmacology of brain diseases. Includes review of Alzheimer's disease, diseases of the basal ganglia, pharmacology of drug abuse, and the pharmacology of memory. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
256 Experimental Design for Pharmacologists (1) F, W, S. Lecture, one hour; discussion, one hour; laboratory, one hour. Population and sample statistics, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, nonparametric statistics, experimental design, power, and the use of statistical computer software. Prerequisite: Pharmacology 252 or consent of instructor.
257 Ethics in Research (1) F, W, S.Lecture, one hour; discussion, one hour. Ethical conduct in research including data handling, authorship, conflict of interest, animal rights, handling of misconduct. Prerequisite: Pharmacology 299 or consent of instructor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be taken for credit two times.
298 Seminar (2) F, W, S. Presentation and discussion of current problems and methods in teaching and research in pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutics.
299 Research (1 to 12) F, W, S
Building D, Room 340, Medical Sciences I; (949) 824-5863
Janos K. Lanyi, Department Chair
Faculty
Nancy L. Allbritton: Signal transduction by second messengers and protein kinases
Kenneth M. Baldwin: Developmental, hormonal, and exercise factors regulating striated muscle gene expression
Michael E. Barish: Astrogial modulation of the differentiation of voltage-gated potassium currents; mechanisms of intracellular Ca2+ release
Ralph A. Bradshaw: Structure and function of polypeptide growth factors and their receptors; mechanisms of protein turnover
Michael D. Cahalan: Ion channels and Ca2+ signaling in the immune system
Vincent J. Caiozzo: Cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle
K. George Chandy: Molecular biology of ion channels and their role in immune cells
Jill Cupp-Vickery: X-ray crystallographic studies on enzymes involved in antibiotic biosynthesis
J. Jay Gargus: Molecular analysis of membrane signaling proteins
Alan L. Goldin: Molecular biology of neural channels and receptors
George A. Gutman: Molecular and evolutionary studies of immunoglobulin and ion channel genes
Harry T. Haigler: Structure, function, and topography of annexin calcium binding proteins on membranes
James E. Hall: Biophysics of membrane channels, gap junctions and water channels
Frances A. Jurnak: Macromolecular crystallography; biochemical and structural studies of a model G protein; EF-Tu; structure/function of plant virulence factors
Janos K. Lanyi: Transport and energy coupling in the membrane of Halobacterium salinarium
Shin Lin: Cellular and molecular biophysics of proteins involved in membrane-associated cytoskeletal functions and signal transduction
Kenneth J. Longmuir: Intracellular metabolism, sorting, and transport of lipid in mammalian cells; membrane fusion
Hartmut Luecke: Protein crystallography; structure and function of membrane-associated proteins
Alexander McPherson: X-ray diffraction analyses of enzymes, viruses; antibodies and protein-nucleic acid complexes; crystallization methods; microgravity crystallization
Paul A. Negulescu: Physical requirements for T-cell activation; G-protein coupled receptor activation linked to B-lactamase expression
Thomas L. Poulos: Protein crystallography; protein engineering; heme enzyme structure and function
Hamid M. Said: Cellular and molecular mechanisms and regulation of intestinal and renal vitamin transporters
Ivan Soltesz: Plasticity and modulation of inhibitory synaptic neurotransmission
Bruce J. Tromberg: Optical spectroscopy of tissues and cells
Larry E. Vickery: Molecular chaperones and protein folding; protein engineering
Stephen H. White: Protein folding in membranes; peptide-bilayer interactions; membrane structure
The Department of Physiology and Biophysics offers research opportunities in the molecular biophysics of membranes and proteins, ion channels and signal transduction, endocrinology, molecular and cell biology, developmental neurobiology, and exercise physiology.
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, 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 third year.
The faculty conducts quarterly reviews of all continuing students to ensure that they are maintaining satisfactory progress within their particular academic program. Students participate in a literature review course designed to strengthen research techniques and presentation skills and attend the weekly Department colloquium. During the third year, each student presents a seminar on a topic assigned by the formal candidacy committee. Following the seminar, the committee examines the student's qualifications for the successful conduct of doctoral dissertation research. Each student must submit a written dissertation on an original research project and successfully defend this dissertation in an oral examination. Interdisciplinary dissertation research involving more than one faculty member is encouraged. Students who have met all necessary prerequisites should be able to complete the Ph.D. in five years.
Information on course descriptions may be found in the School of Biological Sciences section.
Several faculty within the Department also are members of the graduate program in Protein Engineering, which is described in the School of Biological Sciences section.
140B Medical Sciences I; (949) 824-5904
Anton N. Hasso, Department Chair
Sabee Molloi, Graduate Program Director
Faculty
Anne-Line Anderson: Development of radiopharmaceuticals; quantitative structure-activity relationships
Zang-Hee Cho: Multidimensional imaging; NMR tomography, and positron emission tomography
Fred Greensite: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; quantitative electro-cardiography
Anton N. Hasso: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain, spine, head, and neck; high-resolution Computed Tomography applications in imaging
Joie P. Jones: Ultrasonic tissue characterization; ultrasonic imaging; general applications of ultrasound technology; the propagation and scattering of ultrasonic pulses in inhomogenous media; biological effects of ultrasound; acoustical microscopy
Sabee Molloi: Digital radiography; application of digital subtraction angiography to cardiac imaging; digital image processing; coronary artery flow measurement
Orhan Nalcioglu: Imaging physics with specific applications to digital radiography, CT, NMR tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy
J. Leslie Redpath: Cellular and tissue radiobiology including mechanisms of chemical modification of radiation damage; oncogenic cell transformation; genetic aspects of cellular sensitivity
Werner Roeck: Engineering aspects of radiographic imaging systems; digital radiography; x-ray tube design
The Department of Radiological Sciences offers graduate programs of advanced study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Both programs are oriented toward the education and training of the superior student who has the potential and desire to become a creative and productive member of the medical or medical-related communities. The primary concentration of the program is in medical imaging.
Medical imaging involves the study of the interaction of all forms of radiation with tissue and the development of appropriate technology to extract clinically useful information from this interaction process. Such information is most often displayed in an image format. Medical images can be as simple as a projection image as first produced by Roentgen nearly 100 years ago and utilized today as a simple chest x-ray, or as complicated as a computer reconstructed image, as produced by Computerized Tomography (CT) using x-rays, or by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using intense magnetic fields. Medical imaging is an exciting and rapidly developing area of research which is continuing to revolutionize diagnostic medicine. It provides students with the rare opportunity to conduct research which will directly, and sometimes immediately, benefit humankind.
The graduate program has a broad-based, interdisciplinary curriculum which places heavy emphasis on research and is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of medical imaging in addition to an exceptionally high level of competence in one or more subspecialties. By utilizing the training received in medical imaging and its various modalities, as well as in medical physics, bioengineering, radiobiology, and radiological engineering, the student should be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in university, hospital, or industrial settings upon completion of this program. Prospective students should be aware that the program is demanding and requires a broad base of knowledge in a variety of the conventional disciplines.
The Department of Radiological Sciences has well-equipped research laboratories in imaging physics, radiation physics, radio-pharmacy, and radiological engineering located on campus and at the hospitals associated with UCI. Prospective students with particular or well-defined research interests are encouraged to contact faculty members to discuss research opportunities.
Admission to the graduate program is by the Dean of Graduate Studies upon recommendation of the Department and is based upon letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination scores, previous scholarship, and other qualifications. Details of the application process and information about financial support and university housing are described in the booklet Graduate Application for Admission which is available from the Department or from the Office of Graduate Studies. This booklet also contains the appropriate application forms which must be completed by the prospective student.
The application deadline for fall quarter admission for graduate study in Radiological Sciences is June 1 of the same year. However, to receive full consideration for financial assistance, fall quarter applications should be completed by February 1. Applications for the winter and spring quarters will be accepted only under special circumstances. In addition to the usual University fellowships, the Department of Radiological Sciences offers a limited number of departmental fellowships for which entering students can be considered. Since the Department does not offer an undergraduate program of study, no teaching assistantships are available through the Department. Research assistantships may be available to advanced students.
Applicants to the program should have a strong background in physics and mathematics. Some course work in the biological sciences would also be helpful, particularly an introductory course in physiology and/or anatomy. Since most students will need some additional work in one or more disciplines, the program allows for the correction of minor deficiencies during the first year, as determined by Departmental review. Although the program of study is vigorous, it is also sufficiently flexible to allow for a wide range of interests and objectives.
Students currently in the program generally have undergraduate degrees in either physics or electrical engineering. The UCI bachelor's degree program in physics with a concentration in biomedical physics is an ideal prerequisite for graduate study in Radiological Sciences.
Requirements for the M.S. degree may be satisfied in one of two ways. Under Plan I, the student completes the Radiological Sciences core program with an average grade of B or above and under the direction of a faculty advisor also prepares a thesis that is acceptable to the thesis committee. Under Plan II, the student completes the core program plus a minimum of eight additional credits (all with an average grade of B or above) in a given area of specialization and satisfactorily passes the oral and written comprehensive examinations at the M.S. level.
Requirements for the Ph.D. degree may be divided into four stages. First, the student must complete the core program and take additional course work as recommended by the Graduate Committee, all with a grade of B or above. Second, the student must pass a written qualifying examination given at the end of the first full year of study. This examination, normally given in September before the beginning of the fall quarter, consists of five parts: radiation physics, x-ray (including CT), nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. A student who fails the qualifying examination may repeat it at a later regularly scheduled time. Only one such repeat examination is allowed. Third, within a year after passing the qualifying examination, the student must present a detailed dissertation research proposal to a five-person candidacy committee appointed by the Dean, upon the recommendation of the graduate committee, proposed by the student and the student's advisor. Following the unanimous approval of the candidacy committee, the student will be advanced to candidacy. The attainment of candidacy status signifies that all preparatory work has been completed and that full attention may be given to the dissertation research. Finally, the student must prepare and defend, in a final oral examination a dissertation representing original research in the student's principal field of study. The dissertation, conducted under the direction of the doctoral committee, represents the major element in the doctoral program; it must be a significant contribution to the field and is expected to demonstrate critical judgment, intellectual synthesis, and creativity. The doctoral committee is a three-member subset of the candidacy committee and is chaired by the faculty member responsible for providing primary guidance of the student's dissertation. The doctoral committee supervises the student's research program, approves the dissertation, and conducts the final oral examination.
Prospective students interested in applying to the graduate program in Radiological Sciences should contact the University of California, Irvine, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Radiological Sciences, 140B Medical Sciences I, Irvine, CA 92697-5000; telephone (949) 824-5904.
201A-B Fundamentals of Imaging Physics (4-4) F, W. Lecture, three hours. A unified approach to the mathematical and physical properties of medical imaging.
203 Engineering Principles of Radiographic Systems (2) F. Laboratory, six hours. Laboratory in the engineering aspects of radiographic systems and equipment. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
240 Introduction to Radiation Biology (4) W. Lecture, three hours. An introduction to radiation biology at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level. Relevance of radiation biology to radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.
252 Principles of Radiation Protection (4) S. Lecture, three hours. Natural and artificial sources of radiation exposure; guides for radiation protection.
255 Laboratory in Radiation Detection and Protection (2) S. Laboratory, six hours. Laboratory in the detection, measurement, and protection of radiation.
260A-B-C-D Principles of Medical Imaging (4-4-4-4) F, W, S. Lecture, three hours. The application of various imaging techniques and principles of physics and engineering to medicine. Prerequisites: Radiological Sciences 201A-B and 203.
265A-B-C-D Laboratory in Medical Imaging (2-2-2-2) F, W, S. Laboratory, six hours. Laboratory involving the various imaging techniques used clinically or under development.
267 Electronics for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Instrumentation (2) W. Laboratory, six hours. Laboratory involving the electronic details of NMR imaging.
270A-B Physical Acoustics (4-4) F, W. Lecture, three hours. The physical principles of acoustics and mechanical radiation, especially at ultrasonic frequencies. Topics include radiation fields; propagation in layered media; generation and detection of acoustical waves; ultrasonic propagation in gases, liquids and solids; nonlinear acoustics; environmental, architectural, underwater and medical acoustics; physical models of tissue. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
272 Detection and Dosimetry of Ionizing Radiation (4) S. Lecture, three hours. Principles and methods of ionizing radiation detection; measurement of energy and intensity; instruments and techniques. Physical basis of radiation dose measurement; exposure and absorbed dose in tissue; dose, dose rate and microdose distributions, and biological effectiveness.
288 Principles of Radiopharmaceuticals (3) F. Lecture, two hours. Production of medical radioisotopes, including generator systems. Chemistry, labeling techniques, quality control, and pharmacology of radiopharmaceuticals. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
290 Seminar in Radiological Sciences (2) F, W, S. Seminar, two hours. Directed review and discussion of recent advances in areas of current interest. Presentations are given by students, faculty, and invited speakers.
292 Independent Study (variable) F, W, S. Individual study or research under the direction of a faculty member.
295A-B-C Clinical Workshop in Radiological Sciences (2-2-2) F, W, S. Laboratory, six hours. Clinical experience in the various areas of radiological sciences including general diagnosis, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, MRI, and interventional vascular work.
298 Master of Science Thesis Research (variable) F, W, S. Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member directed toward completing the thesis required for the M. S. degree in Radiological Sciences.
299 Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Research (variable) F, W, S. Individual research under supervision of a faculty member directed toward completing the dissertation required for the Ph.D. degree in Radiological Sciences.
