Molecular Cell Biology

Students and faculty in the Program in Molecular Cell Biology are involved in a wide array of investigations into many fundamental cell processes and the mechanisms that control them. Among the subjects currently under investigation are: gene expression; mechanisms of transcription and tissue-specific transcription regulation; molecular mechanisms involved in cell proliferation; cell cytoskeleton, motility and chemotaxis; pathways for the trafficking of molecules into and out of cells; receptor-ligand interactions involved in regulation of cell growth and cell phenotype; signal transduction molecules and pathways; lipid metabolism; assembly of supramolecular structures including extracellular matrix; and mechanisms of enzyme catalysis and inhibition; and mechanisms of pathogenesis. A common theme uniting these research programs is the desire to understand essential cellular functions at the highest possible level of molecular resolution.

Typically a graduate student begins the Program in late August and enrolls in two core courses:

• Fundamentals of Molecular Cell Biology (Bio 5068)
• Nucleic Acids and Protein Biosynthesis (Bio 548) 

Students will be required to take one advanced elective from the list below. Because of the diversity of interest within the Program, departments and laboratories sharing common interest have organized a number of more focused, advanced courses which are offered to second-, third-, and fourth-semester students. These include:

• Advanced Genetics (Bio 5491)
• Biology and Pathology of the Visual System (5501)
• Biotech Industry Innovators (Same as B63 MGT 500U) (Bio 5014)
• Computational Molecular Biology (Bio 5495)
• Developmental Biology (Bio 5352)
• Immunobiology I (Bio 5053)
• Immunobiology II (Bio 5054)
• Macromolecular Interactions (Bio 5312)
• Molecular, Cell and Organ Systems (Bio 5224)
• Molecular Microbiology and Pathogenesis (Bio 5392)

In addition, students will take 2 units of the journal clubs listed below and are organized by several laboratories with overlapping interest.

• Advanced MRI Techniques (same as Home E72 BME 505) (Bio 5465)
• Cancer Biology (Bio 5192)
• Cardiovascular Biophysics (same as Home E62 BME 5911) (Bio 5468)
• Clocksclub (Bio 5678)
• Computational Molecular Biology (Bio 5496)
• Current Research in Chromatin, Epigenetics and Nuclear Organization (Bio 5284)
• Current Topics in Biochemistry (Bio 5466)
• Development, Regeneration & Stem Cell Biology (Bio 5152)
• DNA Metabolism (Bio 5445)
• Experimental Hematopoiesis (Bio 5123)
• Experimental Skeletal Biology (Bio 5255)
• Extracellular Matrix and Cell Matrix Interactions (Bio 5128) 
• Genetics (Bio 5235) 
• Genetics and Development of C. elegans (Bio 5484)
• Hematology/Oncology (Bio 5417)
• Ion Channels (Bio 5137)
• Imaging Science & Engineering (same as Home E35 ESE 596) (Bio 5139)
• Metabolism (Bio 5148)
• Misfolding & Aggregation (Bio 5334)
• Molecular Mechanism of Aging (Bio 5138)
• Molecular Microbiology and Pathogenesis (Bio 5416) 
• Molecular Virology (Bio 5393)
• Nanomedicine Applications (Bio 5145)
• Oral Presentation of Scientific Data (Bio 5565)
• Plant and Microbial Biology (Bio 5720)
• Protein NMR (Bio 5303)
• RNA Biology (Bio 5151)
• Synapses (Bio 5577)
• Structural Biology (Bio 5328)
• Tropical and Molecular Parasitology (Bio 5412)

Students will also complete a course in Ethics (Bio 5011) during the Spring of their second year.

Along with courses, the program emphasizes laboratory experience. First-year students typically rotate through three laboratories and most have establishes themselves in a thesis laboratory by the spring of the first year.

Requirements

• Demographics
• Three letters of recommendation
• Academic history
• Test Scores 
  •  GRE
  • TOEFL (if applicable)
• Two essays and a 10 word research description
• Listing of Major coursework
• Work history
• Awards/Honors
• Publication list (if any)
• Payment of $45 application fee by credit card as part of the on-line application or obtain a fee waiver (please see fee waivers FAQ for additional information).

Scholarships

• Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship Program
• Need-based financial aid assistance
• Merit-based scholarships
• McDonnell International Scholars Academy