Cancer Cell Biology Training Program

Advanced Molecular Biology

These two interdepartmental semester-long courses were organized by the Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology in 1989 to replace related courses offered in several departments (40-60 students per year).  The fall semester (GNET 110) is taught by Drs. Dale Ramsden and Jack Griffth, together with Program preceptor Dr. Aziz Sancar.  It covers DNA structure, function and interactions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, including chromosome structure, replication, recombination, repair, and genome fluidity.  The spring semester (GNET 111) is taught by three Program preceptors, Drs. Albert Baldwin, William Marzluff, and Brian Strahl.  It covers RNA structure, function, and processing including transcription, mRNA transport, translation, and gene regulation .  Both courses are designed around the reading of original scientific papers, and each includes three formal examinations.  These courses, which need not be taken in sequence, are required by the curricula of all the bioscience departments.  The rationale for including them in the Cancer Cell Biology Training Program is that no matter what their area of emphasis may be, all biomedical scientists benefit from comprehensive training in molecular biology.