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Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2022 - 2023 Catalog

Biomedical Sciences PhD Concentration in Molecular Biophysics

Biomedical Sciences PhD Concentration in Molecular Biophysics

Lan Guan, Ph.D., Interim Chair

Pablo Artigas, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor

About the Concentration

Click Here to View the Concentration Guidelines for Molecular Biophysics

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.

 


  • GMBP 5221 EBBM (2:2:0,F)

    This is a parallel course to GMBP 5321 (Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes) with two credit hours. The main goal is to bridge the knowledge acquired in the classroom and experimental attitudes and skills necessary for dissertation work. The students will be involved in planning, performing, and analyzing classic experiments in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics of membranes, and the experiments will be carried out in several laboratories housed in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in GMBP 5321.

  • GMBP 5302 Human Physiology (3:3:0,F)

    This introductory graduate course provides the student with a basic understanding of the organ systems of the human body, including the functions, regulation and interactions. No prerequisites are required.

  • GMBP 5321 BBM (3:3:0,F)

    This is a 3 credit hour course to introduce cell membranes and membrane proteins stressing the physical and chemical bases of cellular functions. The course starts with a review of physical chemistry and common biochemical and biophysical approaches applied to biology, and then focuses on major classes of membrane transport proteins, their structures and mechanisms of function. Lecture materials are supplemented by readings from textbooks, review articles and original research papers, as well as discussion of current research in the instructors? laboratories. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. This course may be taken with GMBP 5221.

  • GMBP 5350 Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biophysics (3:0:3,F)

    Fundamental principles of physiology and molecular biophysics are explored through a series of hands-on laboratory exercises. Numerous techniques common to research in many fields will be introduced.

  • GMBP 5360 Lab Rotation in GMBP (3:0:3,F)

    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Students work in a specific laboratory assisting an ongoing research project or conducting an independent research effort.

  • GMBP 5904 Systems Physiology (9:4:0,F)

    This course provides the student with a basic understanding of the organ systems of the human body. Their functions, regulation and interactions are emphasized.

  • GMBP 6105 Adv. Topics in GMBP (1:1:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced training in a specialized area of cell physiology and molecular biophysics. May be repeated for credit with change in content.

  • GMBP 6205 Adv. Topics in GMBP (2:2:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced training in a specialized area of cell physiology and molecular biophysics. May be repeated for credit with change in content.

  • GMBP 6305 Adv. Topics in GMBP (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced training in a specialized area of cell physiology and molecular biophysics. May be repeated for credit with change in content.

  • GMBP 7000 Research (V1-12,F)

  • GMBP 7101 GMBP Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    Showcases internationally acclaimed researchers and provides the student with the most current information on a variety of interesting topics in molecular biophysics, as well as an introduction to state-of-the art techniques and instrumentation.

  • GMBP 7102 Readings in GMBP (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to complement the Molecular Biophysics Seminar Series and provide a forum for the students to become familiar with some of the speakers publications. The readings course will examine the hypothesis that was tested, the techniques employed, the most important results obtained, and the conclusions that were drawn from the study. The course requires that the students further develop skills for reading, analysis, integration of knowledge and oral presentation of original science articles and reviews. May be repeated for credit.

  • GMBP 7103 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biophysics (1:1:0,F)

    This course gives the student experience in organizing and presenting lectures. The overall objective is to assist the student in developing the skills required to teach in any area of cell physiology and molecular biophysics.

  • GMBP 8000 Doctoral Dissertation (V1-12,F)