This course examines the fundamental concepts underlying biomedical science, including the structure and function of biomolecules, such as proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA, as well as the structure and function of cellular components, such as membranes, vesicles, organelles, and the cytoskeleton. This course is designed for students who may have previously studied biology but need a refresher on the main concepts in biomedical science as well as students without a science background who wish to gain a foundation in basic biological mechanisms.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the characteristics of the major cellular macromolecules
- Explain the structure and function of major cellular components
- Build and hone critical thinking skills
The Human Genome Project (HGP) revolutionized biomedical research through the discovery and integration of Big Data. Post-HGP endeavors, such as ClinVar and the All of Us Research Program, formerly known as the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program, have been designed to rapidly accelerate our research progress into clinical practice. Prevention and treatment strategies that take individual variability into account are not new concepts. However, precision medicine advances the field by leveraging technological progresses and 'omics' data to improve prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for individual patients. This course will explore the possibilities, promises, and pitfalls of precision medicine, using real-world examples, and is intended to bridge the gap between basic biomedical research and its practical clinical applications.
"What is needed now is a broad research program to encourage creative approaches to precision medicine, test them rigorously, and ultimately use them to build the evidence base needed to guide clinical practice." Dr. Francis Collins, 2015
Learning Objectives:
- Assess how The Human Genome Project has advanced technology in biomedical research
- Translate research and technology into the delivery of healthcare and basic-science research findings to the benefit of the general public
- Discuss the implications in privacy and policy laws for precision medicine in the age of the Affordable Care Act and the All of Us Research Program
- Present coherent case studies encompassing the previous objectives, including caveats in the use of current technologies
Rescheduled for Fall 2020
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the pathophysiology of digestive and metabolic diseases and disorders, focusing on the most common diseases with public health implications. Diseases include, but are not limited to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), diabetes and metabolic syndrome, common microbial infections, liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and GI cancers. Diagnoses, symptomology, and treatment strategies will be presented by guest lecturers with clinical and research expertise in specific disease pathologies. Within the context of these clinical topics on GI and metabolic disease, the underlying physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms will be reviewed and discussed along with current research. The course will be comprised of a combination of lectures and discussions, with reading assignments, an exam, a writing assignment, and a group presentation assignment .
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the most common gastrointestinal/metabolic diseases
- Explain diagnostic criteria and symptoms associated with each disease/disorder; describe treatment strategies for each disorder
- Describe and discuss the underlying physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms associated with each disease
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between pathology and the underlying physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms for each disease
- Analyze and critique research publications and data investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms for a selected disease
- Prerequisites: undergraduate coursework in cell biology, genetics, physiology, or college degree in biomedical sciences.
Ever wonder whether the latest headlines about ‘good bacteria’ are true or just hype? This course will cover the science behind the news and will address how the human microbiome is shaping our understanding of health, disease, and medical treatments. Topics will include current technologies being used to study the microbiome, microbial diversity, mucosal immunity and immunotolerance, as well as the impact of diet on the microbiome. The course will explore how dysbiosis of the microbiome contributes to human diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Students will discuss how increased understanding of the microbiome impacts our usage of probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics.
This course is designed for postdoctoral Fellows, postbacs, graduate students, and other individuals who are interested in expanding their understanding of the microbiome and probiotics in health and disease. By the end of the course, students should have an understanding of the integral role of the microbiome in promoting human health and of how dysbiosis contributes to disease.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and compare important constituents of the human microbiome
- Describe the technological methods used in microbiome analysis
- Assess the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on human health and disease
- Evaluate the contribution of the microbiome in various human disease states
- Prerequisites: general knowledge of biology or consent of instructor.
When a large number of people become ill due to the same infectious agent, it is called an epidemic-or, if the disease spreads to affect even greater numbers globally, a pandemic. For example, the Bubonic Plague was active in the fourteenth century in Europe, killing almost one-third of the continent's population, while the 1918 flu killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. More recently, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa showed that our global response to a potential pandemic is slow and lacking in early detection systems and global coordination. Vaccines, arguably one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of modern times, have allowed us to defend ourselves against rampant infections. The world community has managed to eradicate smallpox, and is close to eradicating polio. For both, the key tool was the implementation of routine vaccinations.
This course will explore historic and current threats by infectious diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential as well as strategies to prevent and control outbreaks. The course will emphasize the important role of vaccines and will cover the immunological mechanisms on which successful vaccines are based. Vaccines currently in use and major challenges in novel vaccine development and implementation will be also discussed.
Learning objectives:
- List major historical epidemics and their impact on society
- Discuss how both genetic mutations and changes in the environment together with human social behavior can give rise to new infectious diseases
- Explain how vaccines can help prevent infections
- Compare different types of vaccine strategies and their underlying immunological mechanisms
- Assess the potential of a developmental vaccine candidate
Researchers from all over the world use English as the common language to share their findings with colleagues and debate current issues. This course is designed for biomedical researchers at the NIH and beyond who are intermediate and advanced students of English and who wish to improve their listening and speaking skills in the scientific workplace and/or in other academic settings, such as at conferences or symposia.
Targeted listening practice and readings will be followed by class discussions on topics related to science, medicine, technology, as well as U.S. culture. Students will increase their academic vocabulary and fluency in English and will be able to practice new ways to express and debate issues and ideas. Throughout the course, students will develop their knowledge of English grammar and will have the chance to practice and improve their pronunciation.
The course is designed so that students will have the opportunity to work toward their individual goals, which they will communicate to the instructor at the beginning of the course.
Learning Objectives:
- Improve English-language conversational skills by speaking clearly and concisely, and finding new ways to express ideas
- Learn how to speak to a variety of audiences by using everyday English to discuss scientific topics
- Express a personal opinion or argument using persuasive, effective language
- Answer questions about one's area of interest and practice with confidence
- Prerequisites: upper-intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in English.
This review course will prepare students for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test. Initially, the focus will be on content and test-taking strategies for the Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing portions of the General Test. Numerous example problems will be conducted during class to reinforce the concepts and strategies that will be discussed by the instructor. In the final weeks, students will take full GRE exams as homework and discuss the solutions to problems.
The lectures will be interactive, with student participation strongly encouraged. All homework materials will be taken from the Official GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Practice Question Books or from Official GRE Practice Tests that are provided by ETS (the makers of the test).
Learning Objectives:
- Refresh knowledge on math concepts, verbal reasoning, and analytic writing
- Sharpen skills for and gain confidence in GRE test-taking
- Improve GRE general test score
Scientific misconduct is normally characterized by Fabrication, Falsification and Plagiarism (FFP). This course will explore the normative behaviors that underlie our notions of ethical research practices using a case study approach. Our efforts will focus on practical approaches to identify (and avoid) aberrant research practices.
This course focuses on learning to manage and lead people who report to you, across team, and your supervisor. You will learn through scenarios, case studies, and experiential learning, how what you say and do directly impacts outcomes. The roles of managers and leaders in biomedical science companies undergo constant change. This course includes in-depth discussions of leadership skills, communication, conflict resolution, and goal integration. You will have the opportunity to manage and lead your own team to a desired outcome, analyze what works and does not work within the management systems, and suggest alternatives.
Students may take either part 1 or 2 of Leadership Strategies in Biomedical Science alone or in any order.