Duke University 2009-2010 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

molecules involved in chemically and cellularly precise terms, so as to decipher their ultimate impact on the growth
and development of the organism.
The Program in Molecular Cancer Biology includes faculty from nine participating departments. Program scientists
are actively engaged in dissecting the regulatory networks that control the processes of growth and development at the
cellular and molecular levels, and the defects that lead to oncogenic transformation.
The approaches used by the investigators range from classical genetics to cell and molecular biology and protein
biochemistry. An ultimate goal is identifying novel candidates for therapeutic intervention of oncogenesis. Graduate
training in this program is greatly enhanced by the interaction between investigators.
Molecular Cancer Biology (MOLCAN)
208. Stem Cell Course. 3 units. C-L: see Cell Biology 208; also C-L: Pharmacology and Cancer Biology 208
210. Independent Study in Molecular Cancer Biology. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Staff. 1 unit.
280. Advances in Cancer Research. A presentation and discussion course in which program faculty and graduate
students review the recent progress in areas of cancer research being investigated at Duke University. Provides an
important avenue for evaluation and feedback for graduate student research and is required each year for all students
pursuing their Ph.D. degree in molecular cancer biology. Instructor: Staff. 2 units.
300. Cancer as a Disease. Instructor: Wechsler-Reya. 2 units.
417. Cellular Signaling. 3 units. C-L: see Cell Biology 417; also C-L: Biochemistry 417, Pharmacology and Cancer
Biology 417
418. Molecular Mechanisms of Oncogenesis. Lectures, oral presentations, and discussions on advanced topics and recent
advances in the molecular biology of cancer. Particular emphasis on strategies to exploit this information in the design
of intervention strategies to selectively block the growth of cancer cells. Instructor consent required. Prerequisite: Cell
Biology 417. Instructor: Counter and Yao. 2 units. C-L: Pharmacology and Cancer Biology 418
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Professor Heitman, Chair (322 CARL); Assistant Professor Valdivia, Director of Graduate Studies (271 Jones);
Professors Cullen, Garcia-Blanco, Goldstein, Heitman, Jinks-Roberson, Keene, Linney, Marchuk, Nevins, Petes, and
Willard; Associate Professors Aballay, Amrein, Dietrich, Matsunami, McCusker, Mitchell, and Pickup; Assistant
Professors Aballay, Chi, Gromeier, Luftig, Sullivan, and Valdivia
The Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology offers a range of opportunities for training in the use
of molecular and genetic tools to solve biological problems. Current research interests are focused in microbial
pathogenesis, RNA biology, virology, and experimental genetics and genomics. Members of the Department use a
wide variety of experimental approaches (e.g., classical genetics, generation of transgenic animals, tissue culture
models) and study a diversity of organisms (budding yeast, Cryptococcus, fruit flies, worms, zebrafish, and
humans). The Department is extremely interactive. In addition to course work, students participate in a number of
activities that enhance their training and facilitate interaction with each other, as well as with post-doctoral fellows
and faculty. Refer to http://mgm.duke.edu for more information.
Molec Genetics & Microbiology (MGM)
203. Research Independent Study. Independent research in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Instructor: Staff. 3
units.
221. Computational Gene Expression Analysis. 1 unit. C-L: see Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 221; also
C-L: Statistics and Decision Sciences 278
222. Critical Readings in Genetics and Genomics. 3 units. C-L: University Program in Genetics 222
232. Human Genetics. 3 units. C-L: University Program in Genetics 232
252. Virology. Molecular biology of mammalian viruses, with emphasis on mechanisms of replication, virus-host
interactions, viral pathogenicity, and the relationship of virus infection to neoplasia. Instructor: Cullen and staff. 3 units.
282. Microbial Pathogenesis. Modern molecular genetic approaches to understanding the pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis and host-parasite relationships that contribute to the infectious disease process.
Instructor: McCusker, Abraham, and staff. 3 units.
300. Gene Regulation. Principles of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation at transcriptional and post-transcriptional
levels. Topics include promoter structure and transcription factor function; processing, transport, and degradation
of mRNA' translation. Gene regulatory pathways. Instructor: Amrein and staff. 3 units.
301. Topics in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Discussion of current literature related to seminars in the
Thursday series. Instructor: Pickup and staff. 2 units.
302. Papers and Grant Writing Workshop. Introduction to grant and fellowship writing; writing assignment of two
proposal topics; evaluation and critique of proposal by fellow students. Instructor: Amrein and staff. Variable credit.
378. Genetic Approaches to the Solution of Biological Problems. 4 units. C-L: see University Program in Genetics 378;
also C-L: Cell and Molecular Biology 378, Biology 378
Departments, Programs, and Course Offerings 167