Department of Biochemistry
School of Medicine
Phone 368-3344
Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of cellular function, making it a central discipline in the biological sciences. Biochemists ask the question How do life processes work on the molecular level? The Department of Biochemistry offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, and combined Doctor of Medicine-Doctor of Philosophy. Many interdisciplinary and interdepartmental programs are available with other departments in the School of Medicine and in Case Western Reserve University that provide many additional avenues of study. Research interests within the department include a broad spectrum of modern biochemical topics in five broad areas: biomolecular structure, protein chemistry, gene regulation, cellular processes, and metabolism. The department has state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for research in modern biochemistry. More complete information about either the undergraduate or graduate programs can be obtained by contacting the departmental office.
(See College of Arts and Sciences)
The M.S. program is uniquely designed to provide interested students with sufficient background and laboratory experience to enable them to function as senior research assistants and eventually as laboratory supervisors in university departments, research institutes, or industrial laboratories. It is a three-year program that provides advanced training for persons who wish to proceed beyond the B.A. or B.S. without committing themselves to the Ph.D. Students in the M.S. program receive a stipend and tuition costs are covered by the department. The student pursues a flexible and individually designed schedule related to his or her research interests, which leads to an independent research project in the second and third years of the program. The program simultaneously develops background knowledge and technical skill in modern biochemistry which can be applied to a large number of career opportunities. A more complete description of the program, admission policies, and financial aid is available from the departmental office.
The aim of the Ph.D. program is to prepare students for careers in teaching and research in biochemistry. The emphasis of the doctoral program is on research culminating in the completion of an original independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member in the Biochemistry Program. Active research areas within the department include metabolic regulation; developmental biochemistry; regulation of protein synthesis; enzymatic structure and reaction mechanisms; animal virology; RNA splicing; DNA mutagenesis and repair; cloning and analysis of genes; secretion and endocytosis; protein-nucleic acid interactions; mechanism of enzyme catalysis; mechanism of chomsynthesis from CO, CO2, and H2; lipid metabolism; magnetic resonance studies of proteins; protein structure determination by x-ray crystallography; and physical biochemistry.
In addition to the research activities, graduate students participate in formal courses both within and outside the department, formal and informal seminars, and discussions of current literature. Schedules are flexible and are individually tailored to the students' needs. Although students choose from the various tracks within the department, they are broadly trained in modern aspects of biochemistry and become familiar with techniques and literature in a variety of areas. Many collaborative projects with other departments are also available to broaden the spectrum of training offered. Most students select a multidepartmental, integrated curriculum in cellular and molecular biology in addition to specialized courses in biochemistry.
Most Ph.D. students in biochemistry are admitted through the Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP). This program, which combines 13 graduate programs in the School of Medicine, is described under a separate listing. A complete description of the program, including research activities, admission policies, and financial aid, may be obtained from the department office or the Biomedical Sciences Training Program Coordinator.
Undergraduate biochemistry majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to apply for an Integrated Graduate Program in Biochemistry. This program allows CWRU biochemistry majors to enter graduate school at the end of the junior year and to obtain the B.A. degree while completing the first year of graduate school at CWRU. The first year of coursework in graduate school substitutes for the last year of undergraduate coursework. The admitted student takes the same coursework and chooses a thesis adviser from among the faculty in the same fashion as do other Ph.D. students. The program is highly competitive and only one or two outstanding graduates may be selected in any year.
Students may pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry as part of the combined M.D.-Ph.D. program. Information on this program may be obtained from the departmental office or the Medical Scientist Training Program. (See below.)
Biochemistry (BIOC)
BIOC 307, General Biochemistry, 4
Overview of the macromolecules and small molecules key to all living systems. Topics include: protein structure and function; enzyme mechanisms, kinetics and regulation; membrane structure and function; bioenergetics; hormone action; intermediary metabolism, including pathways and regulation of carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide biosynthesis and breakdown. One semester of biology is recommended.
Prerequisite: CHEM 223 or CHEM 224
BIOC 308, Molecular Biology: Genes and Genetic Engineering, 4
An examination of the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. Topics include: nucleic acid structure; mechanisms and control of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis; recombinant DNA; and mRNA processing and modification. Where possible, eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems are compared. Special topics include yeast as a model organism, molecular biology of cancer, and molecular biology of development. Current literature is discussed briefly as an introduction to techniques of genetic engineering.
Prerequisite: BIOL 205 or BIOC 307
BIOC 312, Macromolecular Structure and Function, 3
Interactions between biomolecules are discussed in a system-based approach that stresses quantitative and structural characterization. Topics discussed include site-directed mutagenesis of enzymes, DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions.
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 and CHEM 301
BIOC 320, Molecular Genetics of Cancer, 3
Molecular basis of cancer is covered in lectures and discussion of the scientific literature. The principal topics are cellular and viral oncogenes and tumor suppressors, including their identification, function, and roles in cellular transformation and malignant progression in humans and in animal model systems.
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 and BIOC 308
BIOC 334, Structural Biology of Proteins, Enzymes, and Nucleic Acids, 3
Detailed consideration of the structure and function of proteins and enzymes. Topics include: enzyme structure, kinetics, and mechanisms; structural biology of proteins and protein-DNA complexes; and techniques for structural analysis.
Prerequisite: BIOL 205 or BIOC 307
BIOC 371, Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar, 1
Discussion of selected topics of current interest based on appropriate literature.
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 and BIOC 308
BIOC 372, Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar, 1
Discussion of selected topics of current interest based on appropriate literature.
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 and BIOC 308
BIOC 391, Research Project, 1-36
(Credit as arranged) Offered on a pass/fail basis only. Maximum 9 hours total credit.
BIOC 407, General Biochemistry, 4
Overview of the macromolecules and small molecules that are the key to all living systems. Topics covered include: protein structure and function; enzyme mechanisms, kinetics and regulation; membrane structure and function; bioenergetics; hormone action; intermediary metabolism, including pathways and regulation of carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis and breakdown. One semester of biology is recommended.
Prerequisite: CHEM 223, CHEM 224
BIOC 408, Molecular Biology: Genes and Genetic Engineering, 4
Examination of the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. Topics include: nucleic acid structure; mechanisms and control of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis; recombinant DNA; and mRNA processing and modification. Where possible, eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems are compared. Special topics include yeast as a model organism, molecular biology of cancer, and molecular biology of development. Current literature is discussed briefly as an introduction to techniques of genetic engineering.
Prerequisite: BIOL 205 or BIOC 307
BIOC 412, Macromolecular Structure and Function, 3
Interactions between biomolecules are discussed in a system-based approach that stresses quantitative and structural characterization. Topics discussed include site-directed mutagenesis of enzymes, DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 and CHEM 301
BIOC 420, Molecular Genetics of Cancer, 3
Molecular basis of cancer is covered in lectures and discussion of the scientific literature. The principal topics are cellular and viral oncogenes and tumor suppressors, including their identification, function, and roles in cellular transformation and malignant progression in humans and in animal model systems.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407 and BIOC 408
BIOC 434, Structural Biology of Proteins, Enzymes, and Nucleic Acids, 3
Detailed consideration of the structure and function of proteins and enzymes. Topics include: enzyme structure, kinetics, and mechanisms; structural biology of proteins and protein-DNA complexes; and techniques for structural analysis.
Prerequisite: BIOL 205 or BIOC 307
BIOC 452, Nutritional Biochemistry, 3
Influence of dietary components on regulation of metabolic pathways.
Prerequisite: BIOC 307
BIOC 453, Metabolic Regulation, 3
Prerequisite: BIOC 307 or NTRN 452
BIOC 473, Protein Biosynthesis, 3
Mechanism and regulation of protein biosynthesis with emphasis on eukaryotic systems. The area is examined in fundamental detail to provide the student with an understanding of biochemical methodology and techniques at the level of the research literature. Topics include initiation and elongation in protein synthesis; mRNA structure and function; secretory proteins; influence of viral infection on protein synthesis.and
Prerequisite: BIOC 307
BIOC 474, RNA and DNA Biosynthesis, 3
DNA biosynthesis, recombination, RNA-dependent DNA synthesis and RNA transcription.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 486, Protein Structure, Folding and Design, 3
Reading in the current literature with computer program and model building workshops. Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 601, Biochemical Research, 1-36
(Credit as arranged)
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 605, Independent Project in Biochemical Research, 1-36
(Credit as arranged) Limited to students in the M.S. program in biochemical research.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407 and BIOC 601
BIOC 611, Biochemistry Seminar I, 1
Discussion of current research.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 612, Biochemistry Seminar II, 1
Discussion of current research.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 617, Special Topics in Biochemistry, 2
Special topics courses on areas of current interests in biochemistry.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 618, Special Topics in Biochemistry, 2
Special topics courses on areas of current interest in biochemistry.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407
BIOC 641, Proposition I, 2
Design of research proposal.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407 or equivalent and consent of instructor.
BIOC 643, Proposition II, 2
Design of research proposal.
Prerequisite: BIOC 407 or equivalent and consent of instructor.
BIOC 651, Thesis M.S., 1-6
(Credit as arranged)
BIOC 701, Dissertation Ph.D., 1-36
(Credit as arranged)
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