Fundamental aspects of molecular and cellular biology of cancers with respect to developing cancer therapies; basic principles of cancer treatment, molecularly targeted therapies, cytotoxic therapies, drug discovery approaches, drug delivery systems, cell-based and gene therapies; discussion of research and review articles.

Cells have elaborate mechanisms for controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. In this course, we will explore in molecular detail the intricate signaling pathways that are important for cell behavior, with a major focus on those pathways that are conserved widely among many species.

The key areas of RNA biology, structure and function; splicing, polyadenylation, transport, translation and decay of mRNAs; the regulatory mechanisms governed by noncoding RNAs such as siRNAs, miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs.

Materials for biomedical applications; synthetic polymers, metals and composite materials as biomaterials; biopolymers, dendrimers, hydrogels, polyelectrolytes, drug delivery systems, implants, tissue grafts, dental materials, ophthalmic materials, surgical materials, imaging materials.

The fundamentals of tissue engineering at the molecular and cellular level; techniques in tissue engineering; problems and solution in tissue engineering; transplantation of tissues in biomedicine using sophisticated equipments and materials; investigation of methods for the preparation of component of cell, effect of growth factors on tissues.

Function of different neuronal cell types and the larger organization of the mammalian nervous system: The topics include the molecular details of synaptic connectivity and its relationship to learning and memory and the causes of neurodegenerative disease.

Proteomics and function, fundamentals of mass spectrometry (MS), tandem MS, chemical and posttranslational modifications, protein identification, data mining, protein complexes, protein folding, MS genotyping, high throughput; recently developed proteomics methods and their applications; focus on the recent scientific literature in this field including quantitative comparison of healthy and disease proteomes, the comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions in different cell types, and new approaches to analyze cellular signaling pathways and the subcellular-organelle and cell surface proteomes.

Molecular details of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Subject areas will include immune recognition, immunosuppression, communication between different immune system cell types, and autoimmunity.

The following objectives will be met through extensive reading, writing and discussion both in and out of class.Build a solid background in academic discourse, both written and spoken. Improve intensive and extensive critical reading skills. Foster critical and creative thinking. Build fundamental academic writing skills including summary, paraphrase, analysis, synthesis. Master cohesiveness as well as proper academic citation when incorporating the work of others.

Recombinant DNA, enzymes and other biomolecules. Molecular genetics. Commercial use of microorganisms. Cellular reactors; bioseparation techniques. Transgenic systems. Gene therapy. Biotechnology applications in environmental, agricultural and pharmaceutical problems.