Courses

PTH 504 - Current Topics in Experimental Pathology

This course uses the seminar format to introduce students to diverse experimental and intellectual approaches to studying disease processes. Students alternate with investigators from both outside and within the University in presenting their current research at the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine seminar series. This seminar is usually held on Mondays at noon.

The Student Seminar Series is also a component of PTH 504. Each student gains experience in oral presentations by presenting his/her research work to the faculty and fellow students on a yearly basis. This series is held on Wednesdays at 3 PM.

Credit: One hour. Prerequisite: permission of the instruction (email). Course Director: Therese Wiedmer .

PTH 507 - Cancer Biology

The goal of this course is to provide a solid background and current understanding of cancer biology and cancer-related research. The lectures will cover key topics in cancer biology, including intrinsic regulatory mechanisms of cancer cell proliferation, the impact of microenvironment on tumor growth and metastasis, and the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Leading scientists in the cancer research field will deliver lectures on each topic and lead in-depth discussions centered on groundbreaking findings. As an advanced-level course, we will emphasize original experiments, critical thinking and reading of the primary literature rather than abstract facts and memorization. Active participation and in-class discussions among students are expected.

This course is offered as a mandatory requirement for post-doctoral fellows on the Cancer Center Training Grant and as an upper level elective for graduate students campus-wide.

Textbook. The Biology of Cancer (by Robert Weinberg) The text is your primary source for background material. Additional readings will be assigned by each lecturer.

Exams. Exams are closed-book and will cover the material of that section only. Each exam will last two hours. Any material discussed or referred to in class or in assigned readings is fair game.

Lecture notes. No handouts will be provided. Materials for each lecture will be available on Blackboard before each class.

Paper readings. Part of the lectures will be devoted to a discussion of at least one

assigned paper from the primary literature. You must read these papers in advance and be prepared to discuss them in class.

Spring semester. Two 1-1/2 hour sessions per week. Credit: three hours. Prerequisite: permission of one of the course directors (e-mail Dr.Yi-Fen Lee. or Dr. Lei Xu). Course Directors: Yi-Fen Lee and Lei Xu. No audits allowed.

PTH 509/510 - Pathways of Human Disease I and II

This two-semester course is the signature course of the graduate program in Pathology. Its objective is to provide students with an introduction to human disease processes with an emphasis on the molecular and genetic mechanisms of disease. Students will learn the basic anatomy, histology, and physiology of all major organ systems in the context of examples of human disease. They will complete the course with an understanding of the basic principles of human disease processes at the whole animal, organ, cellular, and molecular levels. They will also gain insight into current applications and limitations of modern diagnostic medicine and the importance of basic translational research.

Lectures are complemented by interactive labs and journal clubs to expand on what is taught in class. In journal club sessions, students will learn to critically read and evaluate scientific papers and will gain experience in presenting to their peers.

Two 1 1/2-hour lectures and one 1 1/2-hour lab or journal club per week. Credit: four hours. Prerequisite: permission of the course director (e-mail). Course Director: Therese Wiedmer. No audits allowed.

PTH 571 - Molecular Basis of Disease

This course provides translational medicine-oriented lectures to help students understand the utilization of molecular, cellular and genetic approaches to investigate human diseases and disease-related animal models. Significant emphasis will be placed on the current understanding of disease processes, limitations, and strategies for innovative experimentation that should lead to breakthrough discoveries and cures. Discussions will address various diseases including but not limited to cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal abnormalities, autoimmunity, endocrine defects and cancer. The course is composed of lectures and journal club style paper presentations. Students will be assigned scientific papers of interest that they will present and discuss with their peers at the second session provided by each faculty.

Fall semester. Two 1 1/2-hour sessions per week. Credit: three hours.

Course Director: Lianping Xing. No audits allowed.

PTH 574 - Nuclear Hormone Receptors

This course aims to provide an understanding of the actions of nuclear hormone receptors in physiology and pathophysiology of many tissues. The dynamic regulationship of target tissue physiology relies on circulating hormones, such as estrogen and androgen, that act through their cognate receptors. The nuclear hormone receptor superfamily includes steroid hormone receptors, such as AR, ER, GR, and PR, as well as receptors for thyroid hormones, retinoids, and vitamin D, and different orphan receptors of yet unknown ligands. Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-inducible transcription factors that act as monomers, homodimer,s or response elements, as well as with molecules of various signaling pathways, or cross-talk, results in the expression of target genes. The integrated effects of these target gene products orchestrate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death.

Fall semester, even years. One 2-hour session per week. Credit: two hours. Prerequisite: permission of course directors (email). Course Directors: Shuyuan Yeh.