Duke University 2008-2009 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

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 (MGM)
Professor Petes, Chair (366 CARL); Associate Professor Amrein, Director of Graduate
Studies (254 CARL); Professors Cullen, Garcia-Blanco, Goldstein, Heitman, Jinks-
Roberson, Keene, Linney, Marchuk, Nevins, Petes, Wharton, and Willard; Associate
Professors Amrein, McCusker, Mitchell, and Pickup; Assistant Professors Aballay, Chi,
Dietrich, Gromeier, Matsunami, 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, mice, 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 postdoctoral
fellows and faculty. Refer to http://mgm.duke.edu for more information.
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: Nevins and staff. 3 units.
301. Topics in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Discussion of current literature
related to seminars in the Thursday series. Instructor: Wharton 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. Use of genetic
approaches to address research problems in cell and developmental biology. Genetic
fundamentals build up to modern molecular genetic strategies including genetic screens,
reverse genetics, genetic interactions, dominant negative mutants, and more. Several major
genetic model organisms used to illustrate general principles. Consent of instructor required
Courses of Instruction 219