Courses
Course | Units | Instructor | Prerequisites | Description | |
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201A | Protein Structure & Function | 2 | Plaxco |
Graduate standing. |
Exploration of the relationship between protein sequence, structure, biophysics, and function. |
201B | Chemistry & Structure of Nucleic Acids | 2 | Chen |
One year of undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C), one quarter of undergraduate physical chemistry (e.g., Chemistry and Biochemistry 142A-B-C, Chemistry and Biochemistry 113A). |
Primary, secondary, and higher-order structures of DNA and RNA, thermodynamic stability and folding, protein-nucleic acid interactions, ribozymes, applications to gene regulation, RNA world evolution. |
201C | Biomembranes Structure & Function | 2 | Parsons |
Chemistry and Biochemistry 142A-B-C or MCDB 108A-B-C or equivalents. |
Lipid diversity, lipid aggregates, dynamics and phase behavior of lipid aggregates, permeabilities of model and cellular bilayers, manipulation and quantitation of ionic and pH gradients, related special topics in physiology such as the mechanisms of anesthesia. |
202 | Biomaterials &. Biosurfaces | 3 | Israelachvili |
Consent of instructor. Same course as Chemical Engineering 202. Recommended preparation: prior biochemistry, physical chemistry, and organic chemistry. |
Fundamentals of natural and artificial biomaterials and biosurfaces with emphasis on molecular level structure and function and the interactions of biomaterials and surfaces with the body. Design issues of grafts and biopolymers. Basic biological and biochemical systems reviewed for nonbiologists. |
204 | Protein Processing | 4 | Waite |
MCDB 108A or 218A or equivalent. |
Structure/function relationships in interesting macromolecules isolated from marine organisms. Focus is on well-characterized pathways from horseshoe crabs, abalones, mussels, and fish as well as others. |
205A | Biochemical Techniques | 1 | Lew |
One year of undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C) or equivalent. |
Practical theory and application of basic biochemical techniques. Topics include SDS-PAGE, buffers, centrifugation, antibody methods, spectroscopy and fluorescence techniques. |
205B | Strategies in Protein Chararacterization | 1 | Waite |
A grade of B- or better in MCDB 108A or 208A or the equivalent. |
A presentation of traditional and state-of-the-art approaches for characterizing the primary structure of proteins and polysaccharides. Techniques include amino acid analysis, mass spectroscopy, gas-phase sequencing, capillary electrophoresis, and covalent modification chemistry. |
207 | Enzyme Mechanisms | 2 | Reich |
Undergraduate biochemistry course (e.g., MCDB 108). |
Chemical mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Enzyme models and non-classical enzymes. Theory, experimental design, and data analysis. |
215 | Biophysical Thermodynamics | 2 | Plaxco |
Undergraduate course in physical chemistry (e.g., Chemistry and Biochemistry 113A-B-C). |
An overview of those parts of chemical thermodynamics relevant to the study of biomolecules and biological systems. Topics include fundamental thermodynamics, experimental and theoretical tools and the thermodynamics of biopolymer structure formation. |
217 | Electrostatics of Biopolymers | 2 | Pincus |
Knowledge of elementary ideas and methods of electrostatics and statistical mechanics. |
Knowledge of elementary ideas and methods of electrostatics and statistical mechanics. |
220A | Chromosomes & Cell Cycle | 2 | Thrower |
Graduate standing. |
Structure and organization of the nucleus, Chromatin and chromosome structure, organization, and function; DNA replication and replication origins; Eukaryotic cell cycle regulation. |
220B | Cytoskeleton | 2 | Thrower, Ma |
Graduate standing |
Structure and function of the eucaryotic cytoskeleton. Structure assembly and function of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. |
220C | From RNA to Membranes | 2 | Kosik, Ma |
Undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C or Chemistry and Biochemistry 142A-B-C) and genetics (e.g., MCDB 101A). |
Structure and dynamics of biological membranes and membrane proteins, protein translocation and sorting in the endomembrane system of eukaryotic cells, extracellular matrix protein structure / function, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion receptors, transmembrane signaling by cell adhesion receptors. |
222A | Colloids & Interfaces I | 3 | Israelchvili |
Consent of instructor. |
Introduction to the various intermolecular interactions in solution and in colloidal systems: Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrophobic, solvation, H-bonding. Introduction to colloidal systems: particles, micelles, polymers, etc. Surfaces: wetting, contact angles, surface tensions, etc. |
222B | Colloids and Interfaces II | 3 | Israelachvili |
Consent of instructor. Recommended Preparation: Materials 222A or Chemical Engineering 222A or BMSE 222A. Materials 222A or Chemical Engineering 222A recommended. Same course as Materials 222B or Chemical Engineering 222B. |
Continuation of 222A. Interparticle interactions, coagulation, DLVO theory, steric interactions, polymer- coated surfaces, polymers in solution, thin film viscosity. Surfactant and lipid self-assembly: micelles,microemulsions. Surfactants on surfaces: langmuir- blodgett films, adsorption, adhesion, friction. Biomolecular self-assembly, biological systems. |
223 | Signal Transduction | 2 | Mahan, Montell, Vandenberg, Thrower, Foltz |
Graduate standing. |
A cell's growth is controlled by positive and negative cues from its surroundings. A discussion of the cell's signaling mechanisms that recognize these cues and initiate an intracellular set of events that generates a response. |
229 | Protein Biochemistry | 2 | Waite |
Graduate standing. |
Discussion topics relevant to structure-function relationships in proteins including the chemical reactivity of amino acid side chains, posttranslational modifications, and the covalent and noncovalent interactions of multimeric structures. Case studies involve recent advances in structure-function relationships of mechanoproteins. |
230 | Gene Regulation | 2 | Samuel, Low, Hayes |
Graduate standing. |
Mechanisms and regulation of transcription and translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and their viruses. |
232 | Bacterial Pathogenesis | 3 | Mahan |
The mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. Investigation of the bacterial gene products produced during infection to understand the metabolic, physiological, and genetic factors that contribute to the virulence of bacterial pathogens. |
|
232L | Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab | 3 | Mahan |
The latest molecular, biochemical, and genetic techniques available for the identification of microbial gene products that contribute to infection.Study of the regulatory parameters that govern their expression. |
|
233 | Cell Biology | 4 | Marth |
Same as MCDB 203, Consent of Instructor. |
Introduction to the structure and function of cell organelles: membranes, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, microbodies, microtubules, cilia, centrioles, and microfilaments. |
235 | Experimental Strategies in Molecular Genetics | 1 | Weimbs |
Undergraduate biochemistry (e.g., MCDB 108A-B-C) and genetics (e.g., MCDB 101A-B-C). |
Discussion of experimental strategies used to purify, analyze, and manipulate nucleic acids, isolate molecular clones from complex genomes, physically map genomes, analyze gene expression, and perform reverse genetics. |
244 | Informational Macro- and Supra-Molecules | 2 | Jaeger |
Consent of instructor. Same course as Chemistry 244. |
Selected topics at the interface of chemistry and biology: informational molecular coding, molecular machines, self-assembling and self-replicating molecular systems, evolution and selection of molecules with binding of catalytic properties, and biopolymer based materials; special emphasis on cutting-edge technologie. |
246 | Membrane Biochem | 4 | Parsons |
Chemistry and Biochemistry 142A-B-C. Same course as Chemistry and Biochemistry 246. |
Introduction to the structures and roles of lipids and their behavior, lipsomes, membrane proteins and kinetics, protein sorting, and signal transduction. |
247 | Quantitative Methods in Biology | 3 | Briggs |
One year of calculus or consent of instructor. |
A review of quantitative methods required to develop models of biological and ecological systems. Topics illustrated through computer exercises. |
250 | Bionanotechnology | 2 | Fygenson |
Background in biochemistry and molecular biology. |
Introduction to macromolecular assemblies and force generation strategies. Topics may also include but are not limited to: conformations and behavior of protein polymers; nucleic acid superstructures and membranes; structure, motility and mechanism of linear and rotary motor proteins; and macromolecular switches. |
251 | Biopharm Process Engineering | 2 | Daugherty |
Mathematics 5A or equivalent; background in biochemistry. |
An introduction to the design bioprocess for large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals. Emphasis is placed upon biopharmaceutical products, protein expression systems, host cell optimization, and reactor selection and design. |
252 | Principles Bioengineering | 2 | Mitragotri |
An overview of various aspects of bioengineering including modeling of physiological functions, biomedical devices, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. |
|
253 | Analytical Biotechnology | 3 | Soh |
Graduate standing. Effective Date changed to S05 per Grad Div (5/3/05). ME 291A. |
Develops fundamental understanding behind modern methods of biotechnology. Topics include theoretical treatment of the double layer, electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, modern optics, and fluorescence. In addition, case studies of contemporary emerging trends are discussed. |
254 | Drug Design | 3 | Reich |
Chemistry 142A-B-C or Biology 108A-B-C. |
Rational and structure-based drug design; pharmacogenetics; combinatorial chemistry and screens; mechanism-based drug design; drug metabolism; toxicity; quantitative structure activity relationships; enzyme inhibitors. |
255 | Systems Biology | 3 | Doyle |
Prior course work in cellular biology, mathematics; consent of instuctor. |
Fundamentals of dynamic network organization in biology (genes, metabolites). Emphasis on mathematical approaches to model and analyze complex biophysical network systems. Detailed case studies demonstrating successes of systems biology. Basic biological systems reviewed for nonbiologists. |
257 | Special Topics in Bio Physics | 1 to 4 | Staff |
May be repeated for credit provided topics are different. |
Course varies from year to year according to the currents of the times. |
259 | Special Topics Biochemistry | 1 to 4 | Staff |
Consent of instructor. |
Selected topics from bio-organic, biophysical, or biological chemistry. The content of this course will vary. |
262 | BMSE Research Progress in BMSE | 1 | Staff |
Research presentations by advanced Ph.D. students on research progress in BMSE & MCDB. |
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264 | Literature in Signal Transduction | 1 | Lew |
Graduate standing. |
Critical reading and presentation of the literature on signal transduction mechanisms t |
265 | BMSE Sem Discussion Group | 1 | Staff |
None; intended for non-advanced BMSE graduate students only. |
A weekly seminar discussion group to review, in advance, relevant literature of participating BMSE seminar guests. |
272 | Mechanical Force and Biomolecules | 3 | Saleh |
Explores single-molecule biophysics and the role of mechanical force in biomolecular behavior. Emphasis is placed on modern experimental techniques and the effects of mechanical stress on DNA conformation, protein unfolding, and force-generation by motor proteins. Recent literature is used throughout. |
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276A | Biomolecular Materials I: Structure and Function | 3 | Safinya |
Consent of instructor. Concurrently offered with Mat 276A. |
Survey of classes of biomolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids). Structure and function of molecular machines (enzymes for biosynthesis, motors, pumps). |
276B | Biomolecular Materials II | 3 | Safinya |
Consent of instructor. |
Selected topics from bio-organic, biophysical, or biological chemistry. Thecontent of this course will vary. |
290XX | Group Studies | 2 | Staff |
Consent of Instructor. |
Presentation and discussion of current research, to be selected from the following list: A. Biomolecular Materials Synthesis; B. Biomineralization; BP. Bacterial Pathogenesis; CE. C. elegans Development; DN. Developmental Neurobiology; HW. Marine Structural Proteins; PM. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions; PR. Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions; S. Molecular Virology and Interferon Action. |
293 | Computational Methods Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 1 | Christoffersen |
Graduate standing. |
Survey of computational methods in molecular biology. Topics include analysis and presentation of data, database searching, quantitative image analysis, and protein homology modeling. Emphaisis is on utilizing accessible software tools that are designed for non-programmers. |
592 | BMSE Lab Rotation | 4 | Staff |
Enrollment in the BMSE Ph.D. program; open to first year graduate students only. |
Laboratory rotation project in BMSE faculty laboratories. |
595 | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Literature Seminar | 2 | Staff |
Consent of instructor; graduate standing. |
A critical review of research in selected areas of biochemistry-molecular biology. |
595XX | Critical Review of Selected Literature | 2 | Staff |
Consent of instructor. |
A critical review of literature in specified research areas. |
596 | Directed Reading Research | 2 to 12 | Staff |
Graduate standing; consent of instructor. |
Individual tutorial. Instructor is usually the student's major research advisor. Each faculty member has a unique number designation. |
599 | PhD Dissert preparation | 3 to 12 | Staff |
Graduate standing as a Ph.D. student and advancement to Doctoral Candidacy. |
Writing of the Ph.D. dissertation. |