Current Trends in Biomedical Sciences (BIOC 5106)
Three credit hours, spring
- Scientific literature-based course covering diverse themes in biomedical sciences
- Each thematic block of three scientific papers is led by an authority in the field
- Small-group, highly interactive format for teaching and learning
Students will learn advanced concepts, including how sophisticated experimental technologies are used to define the underlying biology, etiology and treatment of human diseases.
Topics include:
- systems biology
- single-cell RNA sequencing
- role of microbiome in health and disease
- cancer immunology
- glycobiology
- chromatin structure
- DNA damage repair
- chromosome instability in cancer
- metabolism and nutrition
- ribosome structure and function
- integrative approaches to toxicology.
For more information, contact Course Director Wayne P. Wahls, Ph.D., by email at wahlswaynep@uams.edu.
Methods in Biomedical and Translational Sciences (BIOC 5109)
Three credit hours, spring
The methods applied in the pursuit of biomedical research serve as tools for the advancement of science related to human health. A major goal of this course is to help students understand how basic elements of biomedical research are connected to clinical applications. The materials covered in BIOC5109 focus on the application of concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology to quantitative measurements in biological systems. Topics include:
- principles of separation science
- structural biology
- kinetic analysis of enzymes
- spectroscopy
- cellular approaches
- immunochemistry
- systems biology
- new developments in techniques being applied at the cutting edge of translational science
Emphasis is placed on understanding experimental design and data interpretation.
For more information, please contact Robert Eoff, Ph.D., by email at rleoff@uams.edu or by phone at 501-686-8343.
Biology of Cancer (BIOC 6103)
Two credit hours, spring of even numbered years
Molecular and cellular aspects of cancer biology with special emphasis on the acquired capabilities of cancer cells and how this information as translated into innovative treatment strategies. Prerequisites: successful completion of first-year core graduate courses or consent of course director.
- Nature and Genetics of Cancer Cells
- Tumor Viruses
- Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes
- Cancer Cell Signaling
- Cell Cycle and Stem Cells
- p53 and Apoptosis
- Cell Immortalization and Tumorigenesis
- Chromosomal Alterations, Mutagenesis and Repair
- Angiogenesis
- Invasion and Metastasis
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy
For more information contact Dr. Samantha Kendrick by email at skendrick@uams.edu.
Special Topics in Proteomics (BIOC 6102)
Two credit hours, spring of even numbered years
The course will cover the fundamentals of mass spectrometry, including both instrument design and applications. The course will focus in depth on how mass spectrometry is used to identify proteins and post-translational modifications, and will cover quantification of proteins by isotopic labeling and label-free methods. Sample preparation and experimental design considerations important in optimizing the quality of mass spectrometric data will be covered. The course will focus extensively on current software and methods for analyzing large proteomic data sets.
For more information, contact Samuel Mackintosh, Ph.D., by email at mackintoshsamuelg@uams.edu.
Course Faculty
- Rick Edmondson, Ph.D.
- Samuel Mackintosh, Ph.D.
- Renny Lan, Ph.D.
- Stephanie Byrum, Ph.D.
- Alan Tackett, Ph.D.
- John Arthur, M.D.,Ph.D.
- Robert Eoff, Ph.D.
- Karen Abbott, Ph.D.
- Boris Zybaylov, Ph.D.
Special Topics in Applied Systems Biology (BIOC 6102)
One credit hour, spring
Course Description
The course provides an overview of cutting omics technologies to study systems as a whole. The course will introduce sequencing technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, 16S rRNA, metagenomics, and proteomics. The course provides hands on data analysis experience using Jupyter Notebooks.
For more information, contact Stephanie Byrum, Ph.D., by email at sbyrum@uams.edu.
Course Objectives
- Review concepts of omics technologies
- Learn about data rigor and reproducibility
- Build a Bioinformatics Toolbox to apply these technologies to your own research
Times
Eight sessions, Tuesdays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Special Topics in Proteins, Enzymes, and Molecular Machines (BIOC 6102)
The primary goal of the course is to provide understanding of physical laws underlying biological phenomena. Specifically, the course will examine physical laws behind molecular structure, function, and enzyme kinetics. For example, Michaelis-Menten equation will be revisited and derived from first principles. Similarly, from first principles, concepts of biological system and biological information processing will be presented. How is it possible, that macromolecular machinery of the cells functions with high precision and fidelity, at room temperature, amidst all the chaos of unstoppable thermal noise? This question will be answered throughout the course by tapping into systems science, irreversible thermodynamics, membrane structure, macromolecular dynamics, folding, aggregation, and other topics of contemporary biophysics. Overview of single-molecule experimental methods to study enzymes and molecular machines will be presented.