Molecules to Medicine is a 9 week course in the Fall semester that covers an integrated approach to cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and human genetics presented in a context that emphasizes clinical issues.
Block Directors:
Robert Low, MD, PhD
Matthew Taylor, MD, PhD
Coordinator:
Suzanne Waffle (303-724-2070)
Course objectives
- Explain how the normal human cell is constructed and how it functions.
- Describe the basic principles of DNA structure, synthesis and repair.
- Describe RNA structure, major types of RNA and their function, synthesis of mRNA, and mechanisms of gene regulation.
- Discuss amino acids, protein primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure, and principles of translation and translational control, and basic principles of enzyme function and kinetics.
- Comprehend the basic principles of human inheritance, the molecular basis of inherited disease, and methods to search for human disease genes.
- Comprehend the basic principles of imprinting, cytogenetics, preparing and interpreting a pedigree, genetic regulation of sex determination, and describe the major forms of inherited disease encountered clinically.
- Describe and discuss the major structural compartments, organelles, and cytoskeletal components in the cell and their function.
- Explain the basic principles of intracellular trafficking, and intracellular signaling.
- Provide a basic understanding of membrane structure and function, and basic principles of cell physiology, including cell composition and volume regulation, membrane potential, gated channels, and action potentials.
- Describe how the cells in the body form major types of functional tissue, including epithelium, connective tissue, and muscle. Describe normal histology of human tissues.