University of Wisconsin Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Program

 

Course Listings for Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology

- Core Courses -

Pharmacology 630: Cellular Signal Transduction Mechanisms
Semester I; 3 credits. (cross-listed with Biochemistry 630 and Zoology 630). This lecture and discussion course provides a comprehensive introduction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students to the essential elements of cellular transduction mechanisms that allow signaling from the cell surface to the nucleus. Emphasis is on receptors, second messengers, protein kinase cascades, and the regulation of gene transcription.
Instructors: Martin, Anderson, Bresnick, Keely, Miyamoto and Ruoho
Prerequisites:Introductory Biochemistry (Biochemistry 501, or 507 and 508) and Cell Biology (Biocore 303 or Zoology 570 or Pathology 750) or consent of instructor


Pharmacology 710: Cytosolic and Nuclear Signaling Mechanisms (even year)
Semester II every other year; 2 credits. This course will involve two major activities: 1) presentations and discussion of topics in cellular signaling and 2) the development of a 10 page research proposal on a focused and important topic in cellular signaling. The course faculty will work closely with the students to successfully accomplish both components. Topics include genetic approaches in Drosophila to understanding Ras signal transduction and biochemical basis of drug action.
Instructors:
Anderson, Bresnick, Huttenlocher, Keely, Miyamoto, Tibbetts, and Wassarman
Prerequisites:
Pharmacology 630, Biochem 601 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Pharmacology 711: Neurotransmitter Receptors and Ion Channels (odd year)
Semester II every other year; 2 credits. Topics include structure, function, regulation of G-Proteins, Ligand-Gated ion channels, Voltage-Gated ion channels, FORMAT: Most recent findings in the area of G-proteins, G-protein-coupled receptors, ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, and voltage-gated ion channels. Students must present research publications. Grades will be based on presentations participation in discussions and written take-home examinations.
Instructors: Czajkowski, Makielski, Ruoho, Sievert

Pharmacology 717: Medical Pharmacology I
Semester I, 3-4 credits. Topics include pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, ANS drugs, antithrombotic drugs, autacoids, antineoplastic drugs, CNS drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants drugs for bipolar disorders, treatment of depression, drugs for lipid disorders, inotropic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, pain controlm drugs for anxiety and sleep disorders, drugs for seizure disorders, and marijuana as medicine. Lectures and discussions.
Instructors: Keely, Miyamoto, Ruoho, Sievert

Pharmacology 727: Medical Pharmacology II
Semester II, 1 credit. This course is divided into three modules. The first deals with endocrine pharmacology; the second with agents used in the therapy of tuberculosis; viral, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as cancer, and the third with a diverse range of subjects.
Instructors: Bresnick, Miyamoto, Sievert

Pharmacology 901: Seminar and Journal Club
Semester I & II, 1 credit. The MCP Seminar Series is a critical component of the MCP training program. All MCP trainees are required to participate in this seminar series that is designed primarily to train the students in the art of effective speaking. These seminars are at noon on Mondays in 140 Bardeen. All MCP trainees are required to attend. (Attendance is taken). During the fall semester, trainees from the third year and on, present an hour long formal seminar on research efforts to date. During the Spring semester second year trainees present a seminar that reviews the literature pertinent to their studies. Each Monday one or two students present his/her research.
Instructors:
Keely, Tibbetts

- Electives -

Note to MCP Students: You are not limited to these electives.

Pharmacology 875: Ethics Class
Semester I & II, 1 credit. This course's focus is training in responsible conduct of research. You will be assigned articles to read and discuss ethical issues during open sessions. Students will take turns as the leader of an article and discussed various aspects of ethical behavior.
Instructors:
Levenson, Guest Speakers

Biochemistry 601: Protein and Enzyme Structure and Function
Semester I, 2 credits. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the properties of proteins. In particular, the course will cover the fundamentals of protein structure and stability and the role of proteins as catalysts. In addition, some examples of especially important and interesting proteins will be presented. Topics include protein folding, physical organic chemistry of enzymatic catalysis, analysis of enzyme kinetics and receptor-ligand interactions, and enzymatic reaction mechanisms. Lectures with weekly review session.
Instructors: Rayment, Holden.

Prerequisites: Biochemistry 501 or equiv., 1 semester physical chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry, and consent of instructor.


Pharmacology 620/Biochemistry 620: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology (crosslisted with Biochem)
Semester II, 2 credits. Meets Wednesday and Friday, 11:00-11:50 a.m. Pharm/Biochem 620 is a graduate-level course that focuses on basic principles in eukaryotic molecular biology, including transcription, translation and DNA metabolism. In addition to covering the fundamentals, the course will address experimental approaches, frontiers of current research, and clinical consequences of defects in these processes. Pharm/Biochem 620 will be taught in a lecture format. Background reading will come from a textbook as well as recent reviews and primary research papers. This course is intended for advanced undergraduates and first year graduate students with a firm knowledge of basic biochemistry. Grading will be based on three equally weighted exams.
Instructors: Wassarman, Ansari
Prerequisites: Firm knowledge of biochemistry is a prerequisite for admission to the course (Biochemistry 508 or equivalent).

Biochemistry 703/Genetics 703: Topics in Eukaryotic Regulation (crosslisted with Genetics)
Semester II, 2 credits. The topics covered in Biochemistry 703/Genetics 703 change from year to year and span a broad range of contemporary issues in eukaryotic gene regulation and in the control of animal development. The focus is on design and interpretation of experiments that address molecular and genetic mechanisms of eukaryotic regulation. Biochemistry 703/Genetics 703 is taught in a discussion format. Enrollment is limited to 45 students. Grading is based largely on a research proposal written by the student during the semester. A lesser part of the grade is based on smaller assignments and class participation.
Instructors: Anderson, Kimble, Wickens. Additionally, one or two guests will speak with the class.
Prerequisites: Firm knowledge of basic biochemistry, molecular biology, and general genetics is essential for admission to the course. Biochemistry 612 or equiv. and consent of instructor (J. Kimble).


Pathology 750: Cell and Molecular Biology/Pathology
Semester II; 3 credits. The emphasis is on our current understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms. Where possible, human diseases are used to illustrate the outcome at the organismal level of defects in these mechanisms. Lectures will draw from the current research literature and cover topics such as intracellular protein and vesicle sorting, cell cycle, intracellular signaling, cell adhesion, cell migration, and growth. Current papers are discussed during in-class discussion.
Instructor: Rapraeger
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor. (Pathology 709 recommended)

Pharmacology 619: Microscopy of Life
Semester II, 3 credits. (Also Physics 619, Anatomy 619, BME 619, Chem 619, Med Phys 619, Radiol 619). Pharmacology students interested in cell biology, physiology and imaging will be introduced to the latest microscopy techniques for imaging cells and tissues, their function and chemical composition. The course will offer labs and demos across campus, in the most technologically advanced labs available today. These include confocal microscopy of live cells, electron microscopies, synchrotron x-ray microscopy for elemental analysis in cancer therapy, infra-red microscopy of Alzheimers tissue, micro computed tomography of cancers, micro- and functional-MRI of brain, microPET, voltage sensitive dyes to visualize nerve pulse transmission, and more. Students will acquire an understanding of how best to answer cellular and molecular questions via the newest microscopy and micro- and molecular-imaging techniques.
Instructors:
De Stasio, Weichert
Prerequisites: Intro physics including light and optics (e.g. 104, 202, 208). Professor Gelsomina "pupa" De Stasio at pupa@src.wisc.edu or Professor Jamey Weichert at jpweichert@facstaff.wisc.edu for further information.

Pharmacology 875A: Antibiotics and Drug Discovery
Semester II, 1 credit. This course covers special topics in pharmacology, such as biochemistry of antibiotic action, genetics of resistance, antibiotic discovery, and antibiotics as research tools.
Instructor: Weisblum

Pharmacology 875/Physiology 675
This course covers mammalian physiology in sit sessions.
Instructors:
Strang, Sievert
Summer, 1 credit.


Pharmacology 875C: Cell Signaling and Human Disease
Semester II, 1 credit. This course investigates the cellular and molecular signaling basis for human diseases, with a focus on cancer biology and primary immunodeficiencies. Exciting new advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of disease will be highlighted, including (but not limited to) a discussion of:
Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome and WASP protein, Ataxia Telangietasia and ATM, Breast Cancer and ErbB2(Her-2), Wnt, Ras, PTEN. This will be an up to date, literature-based course.
Instructors: Tibbetts, Keely

Oncology 675: Protein Purification (odd year)
Semester I, every other year; 2 credits. It is primarily a lecture course consisting of 27 lectures, 2 half-semester exams, some take-home problems, and a paper on a topic relating to the course. The students are asked to read at least twelve articles and prepare an informative summary with references. Students are expected to read "Protein Purification; Principles and Practice" Scopes, 3rd edition.
Instructor: Burgess

Oncology 703: Carcinogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology
Semester I; 3 credits. The goal of this course is to present an up-to-date picture of the molecular basis for cancer development. The course provides a survey of the many genes implicated in cancer development, their mechanisms of action in cancer and their role in normal cell growth and differentiation. Topics to be discussed include: cell cycle and its regulation; modulation of cell death, signal transduction pathways controlling cell growth and differentiation; tumor suppressor genes and genetic susceptibility to cancer; mechanisms of carcinogenesis by tumor viruses and chemical carcinogens, DNA repair and the fixation of mutations. Topics are discussed in the context of specific cancers including cancers of the breast, cervix, intestine, lymphoid tissues, liver, and skin.
Instructors: Lambert, Alexander, Ross, Bradfield
Prerequisites: This course is designed for second year graduate students. It is taught largely through the description of experiments upon which seminal insights have been made in the cancer field. Students are therefore expected to read and understand assigned primary scientific literature, and have a solid foundation in the areas of molecular and cell biology, genetics and biochemistry. Oncology 401 is recommended.

Oncology 707: Growth and Differentiation: Genetic Analysis-Human Biology
Semester I or II (irregular); 3 credits; Meets with Genetics 707 and Medical Genetics 707. A research-level analysis of the current status of the investigation of processes controlling cell replication and cell diversification. The major emphasis is genetic. In successive years, the focus moves from the gene to the cell to the organism.
Instructor: Dove, Alexander,
Prerequisites: Oncology 401 or equivalent, Genetics or biochemistry, or consent of instructor.

Electives available still under construction

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