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CMB Program Requirements

A galactosylceramide lipid raft binding domain that we recently identified is present within the Batten disease protein CLN3. Batten disease is an autosomal recessive pediatric neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1/100000 patients. We have shown that this domain probably facilitates the transport of the Sphingolipid galactosylceramide from the Golgi to lipid rafts at the plasma membrane in normal cells. Both CLN3 and galactosylceramide are absent from lipid rafts in patient cells. Introduction of intact CLN3 restores the GalCer and CLN3 deficit at the plasma membrane. This work has been published in Pediatric Research vol 56 p 1-15, and the model is on the cover of this issue.The CMB curriculum is designed to provide a strong background in cell and molecular biology, with flexibility to accommodate students with varied backgrounds and specialized interests. CMB students play a very active role in creating their own detailed curriculum, with advice and guidance from the CMB Advisory Committee.

The course load during the first two years totals a minimum of 24 graded credit units and is balanced to include relevant topics, important skills in quantitative/mathematical disciplines, and critical literature review. Courses recommended or required by the PhD-granting Department are included in this 24 credit unit requirement. In addition to this flexible component of the curriculum, all students participate in two particular courses to provide breadth in the area of molecular cell biology and a unifying experience for the CMB student group. Students are required to take the flagship Molecular Cell Biology course, CMB 251, unless they have already had an outstanding background in this broad area. Also, all CMB students are required to participate in the CMB seminar course, CMB 264, throughout their graduate careers. This course features an hour-long session in which one advanced student presents his or her research and another advanced student presents an introduction to the upcoming speaker in the CMB Seminar Series. The second hour-long session is the seminar itself, presented by a distinguished visiting scientist (and open to the entire Duke community). We keep a schedule for the student seminar series on this website. To receive a certificate in the CMB Program, it is mandatory that students receive eight units of credit for CMB 264 (preferably in the first two years) in addition to four units of credit for CMB 251.

As first-year students begin to narrow down their choices for a PhD-granting Department/Program, they are encouraged to consult with each Department/Program DGS about courses that might be suggested or required for the PhD in that particular discipline.

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