The following includes the courses most frequently taken
by CMB students. Many other courses are offered by the various
degree-granting Departments and Programs
BCH 258. Structural Biochemistry I: Structure of Macromolecules
- Introduction to the principles of macromolecular protein
structure and function. This course is intended to give
a survey of protein structures and of how to use structural
analysis to understand how proteins work. Minicourse, 1st
half-semester.
BCH 259. Structural Biochemistry II: Molecular Biology
I - Structure/function analysis of proteins as enzymes,
kinetics of binding, catalysis and allostery, protein folding,
stability and design protein-protein interactions. This
is an introductory course to learn how to use quantitative
methods to understand biological structure and function.
Minicourse, 2nd half-semester.
BCH 267. Biochemical Genetics I: DNA and Genome Stability
- Chromosome structure, replication, repair, genetic recombination,
mutation and chromosome rearrangement. This series is literature-based
and covers the subject in depth. Minicourse, 1st half-semester.
BCH 268. Biochemical Genetics II: RNA to Protein
- Mechanisms of transcription, splicing, catalytic RNA,
RNA editing, mRNA stability and translation. Minicourse,
2nd half-semester.
CMB 297. Modern Techniques in Molecular Biology
- This course is divided into two sections. One section
deals primarily with techniques used for protein purification
and analysis, and for the study of protein-protein interactions.
The second deals with the molecular biology aspects, including
discussions of nucleic acid sequencing and manipulation,
cloning strategies, vectors, expression, hybridization and
blotting methods, PCR, etc. Minicourse, 1st half-semester.
CMB 247. Macromolecular Synthesis - The macromolecular
synthesis course covers basic mechanisms of DNA synthesis,
RNA transcription, protein translation, and protein stability.
The material will be covered through discussion sections
on both review articles (to provide adequate background)
and current primary literature. Students will be expected
to present data from papers covered in class and to participate
in detailed discussions of those papers. Students will also
write minireviews on current topics in DNA/RNA/protein synthesis.
Minicourse, 2nd half-semester.
CBI 251. Molecular Cell Biology - This course covers
a broad range of topics in modern cell biology, with an
emphasis on reading primary research papers. Most of these
are recent papers of high interest; some are older, classical
papers of lasting importance. The classes typically begin
with a background presentation by the professor, followed
by class discussion of the papers. Prior exposure to cell
biology is generally a pre-requisite for this course. Areas
covered include membrane organelles and protein trafficking;
cytoskeleton and cell motility; cell cycle and cell signaling
mechanisms; developmental biology; molecular based diseases.
BIO/CBI 282/283. Mechanisms of Development / Developmental
Genetics - These two courses are targeted to first year
graduate students in the Biological Sciences. They are taught
sequentially as two half-semester minicourses. Mechanisms
of development will introduce basic concepts of cell specification,
morphogenesis, induction, and other mechanisms that enable
cells, tissues and organs to assemble the animal. Developmental
genetics will focus on genetic approaches to solve mechanistic
problems of development. Coverage will focus on the use
of model organisms, mainly Drosophila, mouse and zebrafish,
in which genomics, mutational analysis, gene modifiers,
epistatic relationships, gene knockouts, and transgenics
have yielded important insights into the differentiation
of cells and the development of complex organisms.
UPG 278. Genetics – Solutions to Biological
Problems - This course provides an in-depth grounding in
the use of genetic approaches to address research problems
in cell and developmental biology. It begins with genetic
fundamentals including dominance, linkage, complementation,
types of mutants, and genetic interactions. There is a focus
on devising and interpreting genetic screens, the application
of reverse genetic approaches, and the use of mosaic analysis.
Students gain familiarity with several major genetic model
organisms, and encounter topics at the cutting edge of modern
genetics.
IMM 244. Principles of Immunology - This is a graduate
level course that is open to both graduate students and
advanced undergraduates. It is an introduction to the molecular
and cellular basis of the immune response. Topics include
anatomy of the lymphoid system, lymphocyte biology, antigen-antibody
interactions, humoral and cellular effector mechanisms,
and control of immune responses. The last third of the course
focuses on special topics and application such as transplantation,
autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and tumor immunity.
MGM/GEN 300. Gene Regulation – Principles
of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation at transcriptional
and post-transcriptional levels. Topics include promoter
structure and transcription factor function; processing,
transport, and degradation of mRNA; translation. Gene regulatory
pathways will be discussed.
BCH 222. Structure of Biological Macromolecules
- Computer-graphics intensive study of some of the biological
macromolecules whose three-dimensional structures have been
determined at high resolution. Emphasis on the patterns
and determinants of protein structure.
BCH 291. Physical Biochemistry - Basic principles
of physical chemistry as applied to biological systems.
Topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, statistical mechanics,
spectroscopy, and diffraction theory. Concepts discussed
in the context of the biochemistry and behavior of biological
macromolecules. Emphasis on quantitative understanding of
biochemical phenomena, with extensive problem solving as
an instructive tool.
BGT 206. Genome Technologies - This course introduces
the laboratory and computational methodologies for genetic
and protein sequencing, mapping and expression measurement.
BIO 286. Evolutionary Mechanisms - Population ecology
and population genetics of plants and animals. Fitness concepts,
life history evolution, mating systems, genetic divergence
and causes and maintenance of genetic diversity.
CBI 203. Introduction to Physiology - The objective
of the course is to provide an introduction to Human Physiology
with information about how the basic organ systems (lung,
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and kidney)
of the body work and how the systems are coordinated.
CBI 208. Stem Cell Biology - Lecture/discussion
format designed for first-year graduate students to learn
the fundamentals of stem cell biology and to gain familiarity
with current research in the field.
CBI 296. Developmental Biology Colloquium - This
course covers a broad range of problems in developmental
biology based on prominent developmental biologists who
are invited to speak at Duke University during that particular
semester and participate in discussions with the class.
IMM 291. Comprehensive Immunology - An intensive
course in the biology of the immune system and the structure
and function of its component parts. Major topics include:
properties of antigens; specificity of antibody molecules
and their biologic functions; cells and organs of the lymphoid
system; structure and function of complement; inflammation
and nonspecific effector mechanisms; cellular interactions
and soluble mediators of lymphocyte activation, replication,
and differentiation; regulation of immune responses; neoplasia
and the immune system; molecular structure and genetic organization
if immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, and T-cell
receptor.
MCB 417. Cellular Signaling - Mechanism of action
of hormones at the cellular level including hormone-receptor
interactions, secondary messenger systems for hormones,
mechanisms of regulation of hormone responsiveness, regulation
of growth, differentiation and proliferation, mechanisms
of transport and ion channels, stimulus sensing and transduction.
Some lectures stress the clinical correlation of the basic
course concepts.
MGM 222. Critical readings in genetics and genomics
- This class is designed to foster the ability to critically
evaluate the primary research literature, focusing on genetic
approaches to cell biological proglems. Topics covered include
signal transduction, cell cycle, nutrient sensing, prions
and genomics. 1-3 papers are assigned for each class and
the class is driven by in-depth, critical discussion of
these papers.
MGM 232. Human Genetics - Topics include segregation,
genetic linkage, population genetics, multifactorial inheritance,
biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, somatic cell genetics,
neurogenetics, cancer genetics, clinicial genetics, positional
cloning, complex disease, mouse genetics, and current topics.
Weekly lectures plus discussion of assigned papers from
the research literature.
MGM 252. Virology - This course explores the molecular
biology of mammalian viruses, with major emphasis on mechanisms
of virus replication, virus-host-interactions, viral pathogenicity,
and the relationships between virus infections and cancers.
MGM 282. Microbial Pathogenesis - Modern molecular
genetic approaches to understanding the pathogenic bacteria
and fungi. The course also examines underlying mechanisms
of pathogenesis and host-parasite relationships that contribute
to the infectious disease process.
NEURO 202. Basic Neurobiology - A systematic introduction
to the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system
designed specifically for first-year medical students. Lectures,
laboratory exercises, clinical presentations, and problem-solving
conferences during the month of January.
UPG 200. Genetic Analysis of Human Disease - This
is an introduction to quantitative methods associated with
the analysis of human genetic data, with an emphasis on
applied projects aimed at identification of genes leading
to human disease. Topics include: how a trait is determined
to have a genetic component; study design and sampling strategies;
testing Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; utilization linkage
maps; detection and location of genes using linkage disequilibrium
and other methods; gene-environment interactions; and a
molecular overview of DNA techniques and evolving methodologies
(SNPs, microarray analysis, etc).
Commonly
Taken Courses