This course covers a detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms that control the maintenance, expression, and evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. The topics covered in lectures and readings of relevant literature include DNA replication, transcription, gene regulation, genetic recombination, and translation. Class format will include lectures, journal clubs, presentations and group discussions.

Laboratory procedures in cellular immunology and immunochemistry. Lab procedures explore protein chemistry of antibodies, including antibody isolation using salt precipitation, ion exchange and molecular sieving column chromatography, spectrophotometry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), western blotting, immunoprecipitation, Immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony technique) and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Immunofluorescence staining.

Not available at this time

Not available at this time

Not available at this time

Individual study of a selected problem for qualified students. By arrangement.

In this class, we will discuss current events in the world related to viral outbreaks. We will discuss typical practices used by the media to cover viral-induced epidemics and reflect on how societal and political factors are influencing our own comprehension and perspective on potential pandemics.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of infectious diseases arising from a diverse group of parasitic worms, bacteria, and vector-borne protozoa that affect an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide. These diseases affect the world?s most vulnerable populations, almost exclusively poor and powerless people living in rural areas and urban slums of low-income countries. NTDs coexist with poverty because they thrive where access to clean water and sanitation are limited and people live without protection from insects that transmit disease.

Nearly 70% of Americans are obese or overweight. The distribution of the epidemic correlates strongly with poverty and access to high quality food. Students in this class will engage in directed literature research and discussion. Topics will start by examining risks factors for obesity including genetic, macro genetic/microbiome, societal (commercial, race, poverty). The goal of this course is to examine the obesity pandemic using a multidisciplinary approach with the aim of identifying any evidence for effective approaches to changing obesity rates.

Bioconversion of materials is part of the natural cycle for all bio-based materials as well as a key factor in bioenergy production. Biodegradation processes including those employed by fungal, bacterial, insect and marine organisms relative to carbon and nutrient cycling and the production of feedstocks for bioenergy and biomaterials are important to maintaining the ecological balance on earth, and for the development of a sustainable society with renewable and bio-based materials.