This course focuses on the structure, functions, and dynamics of eukaryotic chromosomes and their organization within cell nuclei. All life on earth relies on genetic information, which is encoded within nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Most organisms have DNA-based genomes; bacterial and archaeal genomes typically comprise a single circular DNA molecule, while the genomes of most eukaryotes are divided into a variable number of linear DNA molecules. These contiguous DNA strands, along with the associated proteins and other components that contribute to their organization and function, are known as “chromosomes.”

This course focuses on the structure, functions, and dynamics of eukaryotic chromosomes and their organization within cell nuclei. All life on earth relies on genetic information, which is encoded within nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Most organisms have DNA-based genomes; bacterial and archaeal genomes typically comprise a single circular DNA molecule, while the genomes of most eukaryotes are divided into a variable number of linear DNA molecules. These contiguous DNA strands, along with the associated proteins and other components that contribute to their organization and function, are known as “chromosomes.”

This course will investigate a wide range of topics in cell biology, focusing on modern and classic experimental approaches that have provided important insights, and the relevance of their findings to understanding human health and disease. We will emphasize the importance of quantitative understanding in research topics that are current areas of discovery. We aim to convey an understanding of how cellular structure and function arise as a result of the properties of macromolecules and how understanding the behavior of molecules is needed to explain how cells and organisms operate. This understanding thus also explains what happens when normal cellular functions are impacted, leading to cellular dysfunction and disease.

This course will investigate a wide range of topics in cell biology, focusing on modern and classic experimental approaches that have provided important insights, and the relevance of their findings to understanding human health and disease. We will emphasize the importance of quantitative understanding in research topics that are current areas of discovery. We aim to convey an understanding of how cellular structure and function arise as a result of the properties of macromolecules and how understanding the behavior of molecules is needed to explain how cells and organisms operate. This understanding thus also explains what happens when normal cellular functions are impacted, leading to cellular dysfunction and disease.

This course will investigate a wide range of topics in cell biology, focusing on modern and classic experimental approaches that have provided important insights, and the relevance of their findings to understanding human health and disease. We will emphasize the importance of quantitative understanding in research topics that are current areas of discovery. We aim to convey an understanding of how cellular structure and function arise as a result of the properties of macromolecules and how understanding the behavior of molecules is needed to explain how cells and organisms operate. This understanding thus also explains what happens when normal cellular functions are impacted, leading to cellular dysfunction and disease.

This course will provide a comparative overview of virus life cycles and strategies viruses use to infect and replicate in hosts. We will discuss virus structure and classification and the molecular basis of viral reproduction, evolution, assembly, and virus-host interactions. Common features used during virus replication and host cellular responses to infection will be covered. Topics also included are common and emerging virus diseases, their control, and factors affecting their spread.

This course will provide a comparative overview of virus life cycles and strategies viruses use to infect and replicate in hosts. We will discuss virus structure and classification and the molecular basis of viral reproduction, evolution, assembly, and virus-host interactions. Common features used during virus replication and host cellular responses to infection will be covered. Topics also included are common and emerging virus diseases, their control, and factors affecting their spread.

This course for upper division and graduate students will explore the molecular and cellular basis of microbial pathogenesis. The course will focus on model microbial systems which illustrate mechanisms of pathogenesis. Most of the emphasis will be on bacterial pathogens of mammals, but there will be some discussion of viral and protozoan pathogens. There will be an emphasis on experimental approaches. The course will also include some aspects of bacterial genetics and physiology, immune response to infection, and the cell biology of host-parasite interactions.

This course surveys cellular metabolism with a focus on the underlying bioenergetics, mechanisms, and chemistry. Lectures will cover major principles in the biochemistry of metabolism and also highlight selected topics including signaling, transport, metabolic engineering, and human diseases related to metabolic dysfunction. The course is designed for majors in the biochemistry and molecular biology, genetics and development, or immunology emphases.

This course surveys cellular metabolism with a focus on the underlying bioenergetics, mechanisms, and chemistry. Lectures will cover major principles in the biochemistry of metabolism and also highlight selected topics including signaling, transport, metabolic engineering, and human diseases related to metabolic dysfunction. The course is designed for majors in the biochemistry and molecular biology, genetics and development, or immunology emphases.