Graduate Courses (FAS)

PATH 620 & 622 Laboratory Rotations in Pathology and Molecular Medicine

Themis Kyriakides

Laboratory rotations for first-year graduate students.

PATH 625 Pathobiology of Neurodegeneration

Vincent Marchesi

Aging individuals throughout the world suffer from neurodegenerative diseases that resist treatment and prevention and are among the costliest chronic diseases in the United States. In this course, we will cover their causes, complications, and the rationale behind the treatments that are now available. We will begin by reviewing normal brain functions and how they are impaired and then evaluate the evidence linking toxic protein deposits of amyloid and tau to Alzheimer’s dementia. Our inability to design effective anti-amyloid treatments has turned our attention to many other pathogenic factors, which we will also cover. These include toxic mutations, blood vessel damage, myelin dysfunction, Inflammation, autophagy and neuronal cell death. We will also explore immune therapy, brain training, protective lifestyles, false alarms and uncertain claims, and the economics of dementia.

This course will require a working knowledge of molecular and cell biology and protein biochemistry. It will be geared to the interests of students planning a career in neurobiology/brain-related research either in academics or industry. Applicants interested in this course should send me a brief description of their background and future goals (Vincent.Marchesi@yale.edu). Enrollment will be limited.

PATH 630/ENAS 535 Biomaterial–Tissue Interactions

Themis Kyriakides

The course addresses the interactions between tissues and biomaterials, with an emphasis on the importance of molecular- and cellular-level events in dictating the performance and longevity of clinically relevant devices. In addition, specific areas such as biomaterials for tissue engineering and the importance of stem/progenitor cells, and biomaterial-mediated gene and drug delivery are addressed.

PATH 640 Developing and Writing a Scientific Research Proposal

Katerina Politi & Jean-Ju Chung

The course will cover the intricacies of scientific writing and guide students in the development of a scientific research proposal on the topic of their research. All elements of an NIH fellowship application will be covered and eligible students will submit their applications for funding.

PATH 650 Biology of Cancer

David Stern, Qin Yan

A comprehensive survey of cancer research from the cellular to the clinical level. The relation of cancer to intracellular and intercellular regulation of cell proliferation is emphasized, as are animal models for cancer research. Background in molecular genetics and cell biology is assumed. Open to advanced undergraduates with permission of the organizers.

PATH 6/C&MP 650/PHAR 580 The Responsible Conduct of Research

Barbara Ehrlich

Organized to foster discussion, the course is taught by faculty in the Pharmacology, Pathology, and Physiology departments and two or three senior graduate students. Each session is based on case studies from primary literature, reviews, and two texts: Francis Macrina’s Scientific “Integrity” and Kathy Barker’s “At the Bench”. Each week, students are required to submit a reaction paper discussing the reading assignment. Students take turns leading the class discussion; a final short paper on a hot topic in bioethics is required.

PATH 670 Pathobiology

Jon Morrow, Karin Finberg, Samuel Katz, Declan McGuone, Harold Sanchez

An introduction to human biology and disease as a manifestation of reaction to injury. Topics include organ structure and function, cell injury, circulatory and inflammatory responses, disordered physiology, and neoplasia.

PATH 679 and 680/C&MP 630/PHAR 502: Seminar in Translational, Molecular Medicine: Pharmacology, and Physiology

Don Nguyen, Titus Boggon, Susumu Tomita

Readings and discussion on a diverse range of current topics in molecular medicine, pharmacology, and physiology. The class emphasizes analysis of primary research literature and development of presentation and writing skills. Contemporary articles are assigned on a related topic every week, and a student leads discussion with input from faculty who are experts in the topic area. The overall goal is to cover a specific topic of medical relevance (e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration) from the perspective of three primary disciplines (i.e., physiology: normal function; pathology: abnormal function; and pharmacology: intervention).

PATH 681 Advanced Topics in Cancer Research

Kurt Schalper and Ryan Jensen

This advanced course focuses on readings and discussion on three or four major topics in cancer biology, such as targeted therapy, tumor immunology, tumor metabolism, and genomic evolution of cancer. For each topic, the class starts with an interactive lecture, followed by critical analysis of primary research literature. Recent research articles are assigned, and a student leads discussion with input from faculty who are experts in the topic area.

Prerequisite: PATH 650 or permission of the instructor. Open to all Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., and M.P.H. students and to advanced undergraduates at the discretion of the instructor.

PATH 682 Cancer Clinical Translation

Samuel Katz

This course builds upon basic cancer biology knowledge to see the impact of scientific knowledge on real-world clinical oncology issues through didactic sessions, working tumor board attendance, and workshop discussions. The first half of the course emphasizes practical issues in moving research ideas into the clinic, design and execution of standard and novel forms of clinical trials, and statistical analysis of clinical trial data. The second half covers the perspectives of clinicians on the most important outstanding biological questions that should be addressed by cancer investigators. Class size is limited, with priority for Cancer Biology Training Program trainees. Advanced undergraduates or graduate students may be admitted with permission of the organizers. Class days vary depending on speaker availability.

PATH 690 Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

Sathish Ramakrishnan, Carlos Fernandez-Hernando

This course covers aspects of the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying various human diseases. Many of the disorders discussed represent major forms of infectious, degenerative, vascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory disease. Additionally, certain rarer diseases that illustrate good models for investigation and/or application of basic biologic principles are covered in the course. The objective is to highlight advances in experimental and molecular medicine as they relate to understanding the pathogenesis of disease and the formulation of therapies.