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Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2020 - 2021 Catalog

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences - GB-PHD-GSBS

Biomechistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (GBCM)

Vadivel Ganapathy, Ph.D., Chairperson for the School of Medicine Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry

Jeffrey Thomas, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor

Graduate Faculty
Full Members: Bobulescu, Chilton, Cornwall, Dufour, Faust, Ganapathy, Hardy, Kang, Karamyshev, Lado, MacDonald, Maurer, Nandana, Palle, Reddy, Shcneider, Thomas, Tripathi, Urbatsch, Williams
Associate Members: Cuello, Islam, Lakshmanaswamy, Liang, Pelley, Pruitt, K., Rumbaugh
Adjunct Members: Pruitt

About the Concentration

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology will prepare students for careers in biochemistry, cellular, developmental, and molecular biology. Employment opportunities for graduates include traditional university professorships, positions in the biotechnology industry, and governmental appointments. The curriculum centers around five courses: the three GSBS core courses (Genes, Molecules, Cells) and the two advanced courses (Advanced Cell Biology and Advanced Protein Biochemistry). During the first year of study, the student will progress through a minimum of three laboratory rotations in order to determine his or her research interest. Dissertation topics can be pursued in the following areas: regulation of gene expression, RNA processing, cell cycle, cell and molecular biology of intercellular communication, regulation and function of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton, cell and molecular biology of stem cells, embryo implantation, molecular mechanisms of epididymal sperm function, proliferation and differentiation of gonadal cells, molecular basis of gamete interactions, molecular regulation of ovarian development and function, development and regeneration of the nervous system, genetics of human cancer and congenital human disorders, diagnosis and treatment of human cancer, morphogenesis, developmental genetics, embryonic development, cellular genetics, cell biology of epithelia, immune privilege and transplantation, molecular mechanisms of ABC transporters in cholesterol homeostasis and multidrug resistance of cancer cells, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, oxidative stress, neurogenetics, mechanisms of hormone action, biochemistry of neoplasia, biochemistry of membranes, mechanisms of enzyme action, molecular mechanisms of human diseases, translational regulation, RNA and protein quality control, protein interactions in health and diseased, molecular aspects of the communication between colonic bacteria and the host, ketogenesis in colon and its relevance to colitis and colon cancer, amino acid transporters in inflammation and cancer, the iron- overload disease hemochromatosis as a risk factor for cancer and metastasis, and protein amyloidogenesis.

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology sometimes offers a research track for master’s students; it is designed for students who need extra preparation for the Ph.D. program or whose career track is geared toward technical or staff level positions in industry or universities. Students undertake study and research in similar areas as that of the Ph.D. program.

Students with undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry are well suited for this concentration. Please contact at 806.743.2556 or for more information concerning admissions for M.S. and Ph.D.

Concentration Guidelines for Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology



Immunology and Infectious Diseases (GIID)

Matthew Grisham, Ph.D., Professor and Chair for the School of Medicine Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology

Joe A. Fralick, Ph.D., Gradute Advisor

Graduate Faculty
Full Members: Almodovar, Bright, Colmer-Hamood, Fralick, Grisham, Hamood, Pruitt, K., Rolfe, Siddiqui, Straus
Associate Members: Chaffin, Filleur, Lowe, Reid, Reilly, Rumbaugh, San Francisco, Schneider, Williams, Winn, Wright
Adjunct Members: Ahmad, Serra-Moreno

About the Concentration

Immunology and Infectious Diseases is designed to graduate exceptionally well trained professionals who possess the necessary background and experience for a career in research and teaching in Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Applicants are urged to possess research experience and should have a basic knowledge of microbiology and prior course work in several disciplines of biological sciences. Prior coursework in certain areas such as Microbiology (General and Pathogenic), Cell Biology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, though not a requirement, is helpful. Students with deficiencies in these areas may be admitted and required to enroll in these classes as part of their first year of graduate school. Students have the opportunity to rotate through research laboratories (three are recommended, but not a requirement) to broaden their education and research experience, and to assist in the identification of a field of specialization for their thesis or dissertation research. Major areas of current research activities include: microbial pathogenesis, bacterial gene regulation, biofilms, multi- drug resistance, immunology (cancer and infectious diseases, tumor antigen identification, vaccines and phage and immunotherapy).

For further information, seehttps://www.ttuhsc.edu/medicine/immunology-molecular-biology/.

Molecular Biophysics

Guillermo Altenberg, Ph.D., Chairperson for the School of Medicine Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics

Pablo Artigas, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor

Graduate Faculty
Full Members: Altenberg, Artigas, Cuello, Guan, Jansen, Liang, Martinez-Zaguilan, Pressley, Sutton
Associate Member: Blanton
Adjunct Member: Wylie

About the Concentration

The concentration’s main research interest is focused on membrane proteins ranging from their structure to their function in health and disease, and utilizes both cellular and molecular approaches to study these areas. The research involves, among others, the following topics: (a) ion transport and the role of ligand- and voltage-gated potassium channels in normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions; (b) structure/function correlations and structural modeling of ion channels and transporters; and (c) structure-function studies of proteins involved in membrane traffic and fusion. State-of-the-art approaches and techniques such as X-ray crystallography, molecular spectroscopy, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and confocal microscopy are used to carry out the various research endeavors. The School of Medicine Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics has established these research efforts.  

Concentration Guidelines for Molecular Biophysics



Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology (GTNP)


Volker Volker E. Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D., Chairperson for the School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Michael Blanton, Ph.D., GSBS Senior Associate Dean, Graduate Advisor

Graduate Faculty
Full Members: Benamar, Bergeson, Blanton, Escamilla, Guindon, Henderson, Lawrence, Neugebauer, Popp, Roghani, Tenner, Young
Associate Members: Artigas, Cuello, Culberson, Jansen, Kang, La-Beck, Perez, Reddy, Reynolds, Woolard, Xu
Adjunct Members: Borsook, Lombardini, Norman, O’Boyle, O’Dell, Syapin,

About the Concentration

The Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Graduate study may be pursued in several areas, including systems and cellular neuropharmacology and neuroscience, molecular pharmacology, biochemistry and neurobiology of disease. The newly established Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics provides valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary basic science and translational research. Clinically relevant research topics include pain mechanisms and therapies in various preclinical models (arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), HIV, chemotherapy- and nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain), alcohol abuse disorders, alcohol- and oxidative stress-induced damage to the developing brain and neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, anti-neoplastic drug development and mechanisms of drug resistance.

The M.S. degree is a two-year program. The first year consists primarily of coursework (first year curriculum) as well as lab rotations. The second year consists almost entirely of research culminating in a master's dissertation and oral defense.

A minimum of three years of graduate study beyond the bachelor's degree is required for the Ph.D. degree; completion of the requirements generally takes four to five years. During the period of study the student does the required course work, takes a qualifying examination, and completes a Ph.D. dissertation based on his or her original research.

The faculty members of the program seek to foster a creative and productive research atmosphere and to equip students with the intellectual tools they will need to succeed as investigators and teachers. Graduates can expect to enter careers in academic institutions, industry, or government agencies.

Opportunities are also available for postdoctoral training in the research areas listed above.

Concentration Guidelines for Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology



  • GSBS 5000 Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (0:0:0,O)

    An introduction to broad concepts related to four interprofessional core competencies for healthcare providers: understanding roles and responsibilities; interprofessional communication; interprofessional teams and teamwork; and values and ethics for interprofessional practice. A module on electronic health records is also included. Course is required for all new GSBS students matriculated in a degree-granting program.

  • GSBS 5098 Techniques in Biomedical Research (1-9:0:3,F)

    Through rotations in different laboratories, students will be introduced to fundamental principles and techniques in basic biomedical research.

  • GSBS 5099 Topics in Biomedical Sciences (1-9:1-9:0,F)

    Specific areas in biomedical sciences or related research not normally included in other courses. May be repeated for credit.

  • GSBS 5101 Responsible Conduct of Research (1:1:0,F)

    This course will address the regulatory and ethical environment of today's biomedical research as well as such topics as authorship and data management. The class format is lectures and case discussions. Course is required for all GSBS students.

  • GSBS 5102 How to be a Scientist: Professional Skills for the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student (1:1:0,F)

    Teaches useful concepts in the scientific professionalism that might not be learned elsewhere: how science is conducted in the United States and at TTUHSC, the importance of oral communication in science and tips for teaching in a science classroom.

  • GSBS 5174 Core IV: Biomedical Seminar Series (1:1:0,F)

    Students will attend and participate in seminars.

  • GSBS 5201 Scientific Writing in Biomedic (2:2:0,F)

    Tactics for effective writing and communication in the biomedical sciences. Instruction will focus on the process of writing and publishing scientific manuscripts and writing fellowship applications. Students will complete short writing and editing exercises that focus on tactics of effective, clear, and concise writing, and prepare a manuscript or application in their area of study.

  • GSBS 5275 Core V: Introduction to Biomedical Research (2:2:0,F)

    Introduces the first-year graduate student to the fundamental principles and techniques in basic biomedical research.

  • GSBS 5303 Introduction to Clinical Research (3:2:3,F)

    This course will have two hours of didactic training and a three-hour "lab" each week with the students working with a nurse coordinator in the conduct of a clinical study. Students will be involved in all aspects of preparation for and execution of prospective human studies and retrospective chart reviews. The didactic training deals with the regulations and ethical considerations related to research in humans, the process of obtaining approval for a study and the requirements associated with conducting a study. Prerequisites include the required courses in the first-year GSBS curriculum and preferably at least one laboratory rotation.

  • GSBS 5310 Introduction to Statistical Methods in the Biomedical Sciences (3:3:0,F)

    Provide students explanation and application of classical test theory involving univariate statistics. The course will include discussion about classical test theory (p values, scales of measurement, assumptions of analyses, etc.) and application of this theory for various statistical analyses, such as tests, anova, correlation. There will be a small introduction to non-parametric analyses.

  • GSBS 5311 Health Information Resources Management (3:3:0,F)

    Hands-on experience focuses on learning advanced scientific and biomedical information seeking techniques based on current technology. Teaches the evaluation of sources, the management of data found and the primary ethics of presenting information in a paper or speech. Emphasis is to build life-long learning skills that can be applied to research and to patient care.

  • GSBS 5319 Seminar in Current Topics of Information Sciences (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Must be enrolled or accepted in a graduate program. Course varies each semester emphasizing information science topics and includes searching relevant scientific databases. (Writing Intensive.)

  • GSBS 5350 Laboratory Methods in Biomedical Sciences (3:3:0,F)

    Introduces the first-year graduate student to the fundamental principles and techniques in basic science research. Following a lecture and/or a laboratory demonstration, students conduct a well-defined laboratory exercise and provide a written report on the result.

  • GSBS 5372 Core II: Cells (3:3:0,F)

    The structure/function relationships that underlie basic cellular processes, including translation, protein trafficking, cytoskeletal organization and motility, cell adhesion, and cell division. Required for first year students.

  • GSBS 5373 Core III: Genes (3:3:0,F)

    Teaches essential scientific concepts underlying the field of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics. Required for first year students.

  • GSBS 5399 Topics in Biomedical Sciences (3:3:0,F)

    Specific areas in biomedical sciences or related research not normally included in other courses. May be repeated for credit.

  • GSBS 5471 Core I: Molecules (4:4:0,F)

    This course offers a broad coverage of biochemistry with an emphasis on structure and function of macromolecules, biosynthesis of small molecule precursors of macromolecules, and the pathways of intermediary metabolism. Required for first year students.