Molecular Physiology & Pharmacology Track
Track Leader
Molecular Physiology
Overview
This innovative program is specifically tailored to train the next generation of biomedical scientists to translate their molecular discoveries into broader, clinically relevant principles. Course work is designed to foster an integrative understanding of modern biomedical science. Thesis research projects combine modern tools of molecular and cellular biology with post-genomic strategies and state-of-the-art physiological techniques to illuminate key physiological or pathophysiological mechanisms. Our research programs are vertically integrated, offering opportunities to study how genes operate at molecular, cellular and organ-systems levels and elucidate how diseases are initiated and influenced by genetic variation and environmental stresses.
Our goal is to provide students with knowledge, research expertise and critical & creative thinking skills to solve the most important questions in modern physiology. Developing skills to integrate information from genetics, molecular-cell biology and physiology to elucidate the molecular basis of human disease is a unique characteristic of the program. After the first semester core class, Mechanisms in Biomedical Sciences, students take two additional courses, Physiological Basis of Molecular Medicine and Topics in Molecular Medicine. Here, they gain an advanced, up-to-date understanding of molecular cell biology, physiology and the molecular basis of human disease while becoming versed in modern methods of biomedical science. The focused nature of the required course work allows students to design a flexible, elective program of study that ideally matches their training needs and career goals.
Please feel free to contact the director of this research track with any questions.
Areas of Research
Our faculty represent a select group who operate especially strong research programs, have excellent track records as mentors, and offer vibrant laboratories for you to do your thesis work. Many are internationally recognized for their seminal contributions in their fields. The opportunity to investigate fundamental physiological processes at the cell and molecular level with state-of-art methodologies and, then, apply them to an understanding of human physiology and disease is a distinctive asset of the program.
| Cardiac Biology, Heart Failure & Cardiac Arrhythmias | Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer Disease & Neurodegeneration |
| Membrane Biology | Intracellular Calcium Signaling |
| G.I. And Mucosal Biology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Gene Regulation |
| Hypertension | Ion Channels in Arrhythmias & Disorders of Excitability and Salt Balance |
| Kidney & Epithelial Biology and Pathophysiology | Metabolism and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity |
| Muscle Biology and Muscular Dystrophy | Protein and Vesicle Trafficking |
| Receptors, G-protein coupled and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases | Reproductive Biology |
| Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Stroke |
| Systems Biology and Integrative Physiology | Synaptic transmission and epilepsy |
| Transgenic models of human disease | Vascular Biology, arthrosclerosis and stroke |
Note: This is not an all inclusive list of research being conducted.
Molecular Pharmacology
Overview
The track is committed to training qualified students to become creative researchers and prepares them for careers in academic, government and industry. It provides a rich environment in which trainees can acquire cutting-edge knowledge needed in order to solve important and current problems in oncopharmacology, neuropharmacology, toxipharmacology and biotechnology.
One key feature of the track is its commitment to matching the needs and goals of individual students. In addition to core courses in basic principles of toxicology and pharmacology, students have a broad range of course options in their areas of specialization. Broad exposure to contemporary research concepts and techniques is provided by required participation in a series of laboratory rotations. Student presentations in intramural, local and national research meetings are encouraged. Graduates trained by faculty in this track have been successfully placed in careers in universities and colleges, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and in federal and state agencies.
Please feel free to contact the director of this research track with any questions.
Areas of Research
Our faculty represent a select group who operate especially strong research programs, have excellent track records as mentors, and offer vibrant laboratories for you to do your thesis work. Many are internationally recognized for their seminal contributions in their fields.
| Cell injury and Apoptosis | Cellular senescence, telomerase activation and the ubiquitin-proteosome system |
| Core transcription, splicing and post-transcriptional control | Synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity |
| Endogenous modulators of neurotransmitter receptor activity | Signal transduction in cancer and neurodegeneration |
| Electrophysiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Ion Channels | Brain development and behavior |
| Molecular mechanism of glial cell function and endocrine disruptors | Stem cell biology and therapy |
| Viral and non-viral vector construction | Genetic vaccine development |
| Drug Discovery and development of anticancer agents | Molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography |
| Human tumor models (xenografts) for cancer drug development | |
Note: This is not an all inclusive list of research being conducted.
