Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine

The power of science to improve the human condition has been clear since the days of Pasteur, Koch, Ramon y Cajal and other pioneers of modern biology and medicine. Almost all of the greatest advances in medicine derive from basic research and the Program in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine provides opportunities for basic research. Yet, enough has been learned about the basic biology of diseases that it is also fulfilling to acquaint graduate students with some of the great clinical problems that, with new developments, may no longer be so daunting. Aided by recognition and support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and by awards from the NIH and other agencies, our program aims at a new approach to converting basic research into clinically relevant results. We aim at a new working order of Ph.D and MD scientists.

Headquartered in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, the Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine program cooperates with other graduate programs to form a unit called Molecular Basis of Health and Disease. The program is organized to give PhD students a background in graduate level biology and has created a new course that examines the basic science, the clinical aspects, and even the social implications of a limited number of diseases. We consider these diseases in detail. This year they are sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer disease.

The Graduate program in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine provides opportunities for basic research related to the mechanisms of human disease.. Aided by recognition and support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and by awards from the NIH and other agencies, the program aims at a new approach to converting basic research into clinically relevant results.   Students in the Pathobiology & Molecular Medicine program take a core course in the “Mechanisms of Human Disease” that is designed specifically for the Graduate Programs in Health and Disease and focuses on specific organ systems and diseases related to those organ systems. All students in the program are also required to take the one year course in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, a course in Molecular Genetics and a Histopathology course, as well as a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research.  Other electives are selected by students according to their interests.  In addition to their course work, first-year students must do laboratory rotations that are designed to acquaint students with the techniques, problems, and literature of a variety of fields.  Although there is no teaching requirement, students have the opportunity to teach in the Histology course for medical and dental students.  Students take their qualifying examination at the end of their second year.  The examination consists of a written thesis proposal followed by an oral examination, during which they are questioned in depth about their proposals and course work. After the qualifying examination, students in the program have thesis committee meetings at least once a year, but oftentimes there are more frequent meetings at the thesis committee’s recommendation or at the student’s request. All students are required to attend a seminar series that involves presentations by the graduate students on their own work and on a selection of topics chosen by the students under the direction of the participating faculty.  In general, a student should be able to complete the requirements for the PhD degree in five years, which includes the writing of the PhD dissertation and the thesis defense.  Former graduate students of the participating faculty have gone on to postdoctoral positions in excellent laboratories and subsequently found positions in leading academic and research institutions throughout the world.

Requirements

• Undergraduate training in one of the natural or physical sciences, including one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics, biology, and calculus.
• Letters of recommendation from three former instructors
• A personal interview, if possible.
• An essay prepared by the student
• Graduate Record Examination Aptitude scores (advanced test in biology, biochemistry or chemistry is recommended, but not required)
• Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) for all foreign students.

Scholarships

• Departmental Fellowships