BIOC 356 - Biochemistry Senior Seminar

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

An intensive study of selected topics at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular level. Specific topics will vary. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and research with course material being drawn from the recent biochemical literature. Work in the course culminates in a significant summative presentation.

Topic for 2024/25a: Cancer Biology. One in two men and one in three women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime according to the AACR Cancer Statistics report from 2023. Now, more than ever it is imperative to learn what cancer is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. In this course, we will work to develop a deeper understanding of cancer at the molecular, cellular and biochemical level. We start by learning about cancer statistics and disparities. Then, we reinforce concepts from genetics, cell biology and biochemistry by identifying alterations in cellular pathways and genetic mutations that drive cancer development, progression and drug resistance. Each week we learn about a topic in the context of cancer biology and then read and discuss recent, peer-reviewed scientific literature on the latest cancer findings. Throughout the course you develop your ability to read, interpret, discuss and present research papers. By the end of the course, students should be able to describe the diversity, morphology, and physiology of cancer; understand the impact of cancer on human health and disease and describe the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in cancer. Hayley Affronti.

Topic for 2024/25b: Carbohydrates and Glycobiology. Beginning from the basic biochemistry of carbohydrates, the field of glycobiology has grown into an important segment of molecular biology with applications in many areas of basic research, medicine, and biotechnology. This course follows the trajectory of this field, beginning with simple sugars and carbohydrate chemistry and then exploring the structure-function relationships of complex glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycan-modified RNA. As we use the primary scientific literature to understand the newest discoveries and experimental approaches in the field, we also discuss the societal implications of this work especially in relation to drug development and clean energy production. Throughout the semester you develop your ability to engage with scientific literature and communicate advanced scientific topics through both written work and oral presentations. Rebecca Pollet.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS