Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences

BIOC 316                                                                                   Spring, 1 credit (8 weeks)
Structure and Function of
Biological Macromolecules                                                             David Davies
                                                                                                       Wei Yang*
                                                                                                          

Selected topics chosen from the recent advances in structural biology with the general aim of relating structure to function. Starting from basic principles of protein and nucleic acid structure, we shall present the latest results in increasing order of complexity. Topics will be selected from simple enzyme mechanisms to complex biological processes including replication, transcription, translation, signal transduction, HIV viral infection and immune response. These topics will expose students to chromosome decoding, ribosome and protein synthesis, membrane
proteins, ligand-receptor interactions, and structure-based drug design. Students will also be exposed to the methods used to determine threedimensional macromolecular structures, e.g. X-ray crystallography, NMR
and electron microscopy.
Prerequisite: A basic course in biochemistry or its equivalent.
Text book: Biochemistry by Voet & Voet or Biochemistry by Berg, Tymoczko
and Stryer

Biological Importance of Modifications                                                 Benjamin Busby
In DNA and Chromatin                                                                           Aditi Das
                                                                                                             Humaira Gowher
                                                                                                             Daman Kumari
                                                                                                             Tina Miranda
                                                                                                             *Tiaojiang Xiao xiaotiao@mail.nih.gov

Chromatin modifications play important roles in many cellular processes including the regulation
of gene expression, DNA repair, and the heterochromatin formation. This course will explore the
various biological roles chromatin modifications play in eukaryotic cells. Topics that will be discussed
include: histone and DNA modifications and the enzymes responsible for these modification;
mechanisms of chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation; the role of non-coding RNAs
in chromatin structure and gene regulation; higher-order chromatin organization and the use of
various chromosome capture conformation methods; chromatin structure and DNA damage repair. In
addition, this course will introduce students to the genome-wide analysis of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq
data using the Galaxy and UCSC web servers.
The course is designed for medical students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are
interested in gene transcription regulation. Students who take this course should have a general
understanding of the basic concepts in genetics and biochemistry.

New BIOF 502                                                                                        Spring, 1 credit, (8 weeks)
Medical Genomics for
Clinicians and Researchers                                                                     Medha Bhagwat*
                                                                                                               Ben Busby
                                                                                                               Jacqueline Major
                                                                                                               John Pepper

This two-part course will begin with an introduction to basic concepts of genomics and informatics as they may be applied in the clinic (fi rst eight weeks BIOF 502), and continue with an intensive treatment of data acquisition and
analysis relevant to most of these topics (fi nal eight weeks BIOF 552). Introductory sessions will provide a condensed review of the biological foundations of bioinformatics and common resources in the fi eld. Following that, topics
covered in the fi rst half of the course will be epidemiology, population genomics (with a focus on the 1000- and 100,000-genomes projects), genotype phenotype relationships, evolution of cancer, toxico(pharmaco)genomics, immunogenomics, bacterial and viral genomes, clinical decision support, and ethics of medical genomics.
Registration is limited to 50 students.

New BIOF 552                                                                     Spring, 1 credit (8 weeks Spring, weeks)
Medical Genomics for Clinicians
and Researchers                                                                      Medha Bhagwat*
                                                                                                Ben Busby
                                                                                               Jacqueline Major
                                                                                               John Pepper
This is the second half of the course (BIOF 502 fi rst half) and will include a
hands-on treatment of GWAS, expression and proteomics, current mathematical
issues in epidemiology, comparative analysis of microbial and viral genomes, and
systems biology.
Audience: The first half of the course (BIOF 502) is intended for clinicians and
researchers interested in medical genomics. The second half of the course is
intended for students familiar with programming who would like to learn how to
query and analyze data from large medically relevant datasets. Students will be
expected to participate in class surveys, projects and journal article presentations.

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of genetics would be very helpful in the
fi rst half of the course. For the second half of the course, participation is limited
to students with previous experience parsing large fl at fi les, or by instructor
permission (completion of **Computational Biology 537** is also an acceptable
prerequisite). For the second part of the course, students are expected to
bring a laptop to class. Students taking the second half of the course will likely
benefi t greatly from taking the fi rst half, and therefore are required to take it,
except in exceptional circumstances, with permission of instructor.

Registration is limited to 20 students ( fi rst half is BIOF 502).

Biodiversity and Human Health (8 weeks)                                Mawadda Al-Naeeli - 301-496-2313
                                                                                                Andrew Broadbent
                                                                                                Michele Kadnar
                                                                                                David Sharlin
                                                                                                 SusanYuditskaya

This course will review the influence biodiversity has on human well-being, and offer details about the
effects of threatened biological diversity on human health. Topics include introduction to biodiversity,
human activity and ecosystem balance, the effect of biodiversity loss on food production, human
infectious diseases, biomedical research, and medicine. This course will also introduce the concept
of environmental endocrine disruptors and their effect on biodiversity and human health. “Most of
us understand, at least to some extent, the dire effects of toxic pollution, global warming, forest
destruction and fresh water depletion on our health and survival. What has been harder to grasp is
the importance of biological diversity in sustaining life and human health on our planet”*. Addressing
the latter is the goal of this course.
* Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends On Biodiversity, edited by Eric Chivian and Aaron
Bernstein.
Prerequisite: BIOL 101 or equivalent, and interest in the interface between science, medicine
and the environment.

Registration limited to 30 students

BIOL 338                                                         Fall & Spring, 1 credit each semester (8 weeks)
Epigenetics and Medical Disorders                             Claudia Gebert

Aberrant regulation of the epigenome has been associated with the onset of many human diseases including development disorders and cancer. The objective of this course are to give students an overview of the most common epigenetic mechanisms known to date and how, if gone awry, they relate to the pathogenesis of a particular disease. Each class will focus on a human medical disorder and discuss the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder as well as diagnostic tools and available treatment options. By the end of the course, students can expect to have a basic understanding of DNA methylation, histone modifi cations, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation, and disorders associated with aberrations in epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.

Prerequisites: Prior particular knowledge on epigenetics is not required to
attend this course, however, introductory biology knowledge is desired.
 

Registration is limited to 25 students.

CHEM 212                                                   Spring, 3 credits
Organic Chemistry II                                       Darón I. Freedberg

This is a continuation of CHEM 211. This semester will cover alcohols, esters, carboxylic acids, amides, ethers, amines, aldehydes, and ketones with a brief overview of some biologically relevant structures such as carbohydrates, amino
acids, DNA, RNA and lipids.

Prerequisite: CHEM 211

ENGL 108                                                                             Spring, 3 credits
Fundamental English Conversation II                                   Fran Miller

This course is a continuation of ENGL 105. Continued emphasis on improving oral and aural fl uency for those who have a fi rm knowledge of English grammar and structures, but who have limited oral profi ciency. Discussion of American culture and customs.

 Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or equivalent.
Registration limited to 10 students

ENGL 207                                                                          Spring, 3 credits
Intermediate English II                                                        Fran Miller

Continued emphasis on comprehending and speaking American English in a comfortable classroom setting. The focus is on learning authentic and useful language and increasing vocabulary. Attention is also given to pronunciation
issues.
Prerequisite: ENGL 205 or equivalent.

ENGL 304                                           Spring, 3 credits
Advanced English Conversation II              Fran Miller

This course is a continuation of ENGL 302. Continued emphasis on refi nement of aural and oral skills on the advanced level. Prepared and spontaneous oral presentations are required. American cultural topics discussed.

Prerequisite: ENGL 302 or permission of instructor.
Registration limited to 10 students

American Standard English Accent                                            Katherine P. Grossman
Modification                                                                   Katherineparkergrossman@gmail.com

Do you ever worry that people have trouble understanding you because of your accent? Would you
like to identify and improve the areas of your speech that are unclear? The goal of this course is to
become more confident and effective communicator in English. Whether you give presentations to
an audience or speak to potential employers, communicating clearly in English is critical.
This course will focus on stress, intonation, and vowels and consonants in American Standard
English. An individual screening will identify the areas you need to work on the most. Class time will
focus on the most common areas in the group. Homework will target your specific needs and will be
critical in becoming a more confident and effective communicator in English.

GENE 500                                                                                               Year, 2 credits each semester
Introduction to Medical Genetics                                                             Suzanne Hart*
                                                                                                                Maximillian Muenke

The objective of this two-semester course is to provide an introduction to clinical and human genetics for fellows and genetic counseling students who are preparing for subspecialty examinations of the American Board of Medical Genetics and for others who wish to learn about the expanding role of genetics in medicine. The first semester will introduce basic concepts of genetics, cytogenetics and molecular genetics. The second semester will include presentations on clinical topics emphasizing the diagnosis and management of patients with genetic disorders. Topics to be covered in the fall semester include Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, congenital malformations, dysmorphology, teratology, storage disorders and other inborn errors of metabolism, mitosis, meiosis,
structural abnormalities and segregation, X chromosome inactivation, new advances in cytogenetic technology including FISH, the molecular organization, regulation and manipulation of genes. In the Spring semester, topics will include genetic polymorphism and disease susceptibility, DNA diagnosis, prenatal and pre-implantation diagnosis, multifactorial inheritance, population genetics, linkage analysis, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, the molecular basis of breast and colon cancer and relevant counseling issues, genetic disorders of specific organ systems, newborn screening, gene therapy, the consumer’s view of genetic services and ethics and genetic technology. This course should impart basic principles of genetics as applied to medicine and provide an approach to a patient with a suspected genetic disorder.
Audience: Fellows and genetic counseling students who are preparing for subspecialty examinations of the American Board of Medical Genetics and for others who wish to learn about the expanding role of genetics in medicine.
Course objective: After attending this course the participant should be able to describe current advances in human genetics and manifestation in clinical disease and outline the current clinical practice for diagnosis and treatment of
patients with genetic disorders.
Prerequisites: Graduate level training or experience in the biomedical
sciences or consent of the course coordinator.

GENE 514                                                                                        Spring, 1 credit
Current Concepts in Clinical Molecular
Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics                                                 Suzanne Hart
Tuition: $145.00
Class will meet Thursdays 5:30pm-6:30pm

The objective of this course is to provide a review of molecular diagnosis of common hereditary or neoplastic disorders for which DNA based diagnosis is now in routine use. Topics include FGFR3 disorders, fetal blood typing, thrombophilias, hemochromatosis, fragile X syndrome, polyglutamine disorders, hereditary breast cancers, Charcot Marie Tooth and spinal muscular atrophy, PraderWilli and Angelman syndromes, mitochondrial diseases, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, cystic fi brosis, and Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. There will also be sessions on genetic risk prediction using linkage and Bayesian analysis as well as a class on DNA forensics and paternity testing. The course is designed as part of the required curriculum for Clinical Genetics residents and fellows preparing for
the Clinical Molecular Genetics boards given by the American Board of Medical Genetics.
Prerequisite: GENE 500 and permission of the instructor.

                                                                       Spring, 1.5 credits

                                                                         Cajetan Dogo

                                                                         Gwendolyn A. Marriner

                                                                         Barbora Piknova*

                                                                         Rosa Selimyan

This course will focus on review of scientific content intended for preparation to take the MCAT exam.  The course will cover topics in general Chemistry, biology and physics.  Each will be discussed in four 1.5 hour sessions.

Specific coaching for exam taking and practice exams are not included and it is assumed that students will be able to prepare for the mechanics of test taking on their own.

TEXTBOOK: Examkrackers Complete MCAT Study Package: 5 book package (paperback) Jonathan Orsay (author) publisher: Osote (ISBN: 9781893858497).  Other review guides that encompass these topics should be suitable.

Grades will be given on a pass/fail and limited to 15 students.

IMMU 522                                                                                                 Spring, 2 credits
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms                                                         Scott Durum*
of Immunity II                                                                                            Joshua Farber

The objective of this course is to survey recent advances in basic immunology for students who have already had a basic immunology course. The course is designed as a follow up to the Fall semester course IMMU 521. It is a series
of lectures by NIH researchers covering basic science and clinical aspects of adaptive and innate immunity to viruses, parasites and bacteria. AIDS, primary immune defi ciencies, autoimmunity, allergy and asthma will be discussed. Lectures on cytokines and their receptors will include interleukins, interferons, chemokines, the TNF family, TGFs and virokines. Regional immune systems of the skin and bowel will be discussed. Bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy of cancer will be covered.
Registration limited to 50 students.
Prerequisite: A previous immunology course or working knowledge of basic
immunology, IMMU 521 or equivalent

Spring, 2 credits                                                                               James Herrington 301-496-5904

Introduction to Global Health                                                               and Guest Lecturers

Global Health is described as "an area for study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide" (Koplan J et al. Lancet 2009;373:1993-95).

This graduate level seminar will provide a landscape view of global health challenges and opportunities currently confronting the world's populations.  

Students will gain an understanding of how addressing global health issues can potentially reduce poverty, build stronger economies, and promote peace between peoples and nations. Students will learn about the major infectious and non-communicable diseases and also discover how socioeconomic and demographic differences influence the global burden of disease.  Other critical determinants of health, including environmental, behavioral and cultural influences will also be presented.  The course will explore how evidence from research can inform policy and be transferred into practice, using case reports from around the world.  Students will learn that solving global health problems requires a multidisciplinary team approach, as demonstrated by lecturers drawn from multiple fields including public health, medical sciences, ethics, economics, and diplomacy. 

Viral Links to Cancer                                                               Michael Ferenczy
                                                                                               Wenny Lin
                                                                                               * Michael Thomas – 301-402-6098

The objective of this course is to provide an in-depth perspective on the role of viruses in the
development cancer. This course will introduce the viruses that are known or suspected to cause
cancer and discuss the evidence necessary to establish causality between particular viral infections
and cancer. Lectures will focus on the molecular mechanisms of virus-induced tumorigenesis; the
dynamic roles that viral proteins play in disrupting the DNA damage response system; the innate and
adaptive immune defenses including the production of inflammation.

Prerequisite: Previous background in biology or consent of the instructor

New MICR 432                                                                                Spring, 2 credits
Human Virology                                                                              Suresh K. Arya

This course will begin with the description of the diseases that turned out to be caused by viruses, such as cancer and AIDS, from antiquity to the present. This will lead into (the methods) of discovery of viruses, their general properties, mode of infection and propagations, genetics and evolution, viral pathogenesis, and host defense. This will be followed by consideration of the select viruses and diseases they cause in organ systems, such as respiratory tract, nervous system, bloodborn infections, sexually transmitted infections.
Prerequisites: college graduate, knowledge of biology or consent of the
instructor

Introduction to Environmental Health Sciences                  Erin Kent (new Instructor)
                                                                                                301-594-4701

Environmental health addresses human health effects of exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents in the community, workplace, and home. Activities within environmental health sciences are associated with recognizing, assessing, understanding, and mitigating the impacts of chemical, physical, and biological agents as well as understanding how human behavior and action impacts the environment. The environmental health field is a broad, multidisciplinary field. This course focuses on the central concepts, principles, issues and applications of the essential scientific components and strategies of understanding and controlling major environmental health problems.

Course Learning Objectives: Upon completion a student will be able to…
1. Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental
and occupational agents.
2. Describe genetics, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse
health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
3. Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control
environmental health issues.
4. Specify current environmental risk assessments methods.

5. Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose
risks to human health and safety.
6. Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental
exposures.
7. Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of
environmental justice and equity.
8. Develop a testable model of environmental insult.

This is a core course for the Certificate in Public Health Program

PBHL 512                                                                                       Spring, 3 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences                                                     Paula Goodwin

The social and behavioral sciences in public health address the behavioral, social and cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. Research and practice
in this area contributes to the development, administration and evaluation of programs and policies in public health and health services to promote and sustain healthy environments and healthy lives for individuals and
populations.
Course Learning Objectives: Upon completion a student will be able
to…
1. Identify basic theories, concepts and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used in public health research and practice.
2. Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations.
3. Identify individual, organizational and community concerns, assets, resources and defi cits for social and behavioral science intervention

4. Identify critical stakeholders for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, policies and interventions.
5. Describe steps and procedures for the planning, implementation and valuation of public health programs, policies and interventions.
6. Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems.
7. Describe the merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies.
8. Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions.
9. Apply ethical principles to public health program planning, implementation and evaluation.
10. Specify multiple targets and levels of intervention for social and behavioral science programs and/or policies.s.

Modeling Public Health: Complexity,                                                          David Broniatowski
Flexibility, Systems and Agent Based Thinking                                             Meyer Katzper

This course will introduce core theory of systems thinking, with applications to public health. We
will cover key concepts such as system boundary definition, complexity, uncertainty, flexibility, and
robustness. We will discuss the utility of models for exploring behavioral and social aspects of
population health. We will note the variety of ways models can be formulated. Some extant models
will be explored in depth. Models will range from individual interactions to international policy
formulation. We will indicate how to apply models to situations of interest. Choice of model strategy
will be addressed including whether new models should be developed. We will discuss how to
allocate efforts and resources appropriately. The course will provide an opportunity for students to
create and present conceptual models in problems that involve their personal research interests. The
course describes different worldviews adopted by various modeling platforms. Examples include
systems dynamics, agent-based modeling and social network analysis.

Neurobiology of Addiction                                   Jesse R. Schank – 301-402-5305

Text: Psychopharmacology, Meyer & Quenzer

The objective of this course is to introduce the behavioral and biological processes involved in the
development of addiction. The course will focus primarily on drugs of abuse, but will also cover
other types of addiction, such as food related addiction. A wide range of techniques used to study
addiction will be discussed including preclinical animal models, electrophysiology, biochemistry,
molecular biology, and clinical studies. This course is appropriate for any postbaccalaureate student
or upper level undergraduate or graduate students with previous college-level exposure to biology
and/or neuroscience. Course material will include the text listed above as well as recent scientific
literature from the field. Students will be responsible for discussing and critically evaluating scientific
studies. Class time will be part instructor-lead lecture and part student lead presentation of
journal articles. We will also devote a small portion of class time to discussing broader implications
of addiction treatments and drug policies

Registration limited to 25 students

PHAR 511                                                                                         Spring, 3 credits
Current Concepts in Pharmacology
and Therapeutics                                                                               Fredrick Lombardo
                                                                                                           Frank Pucino*

This course is intended to provide instruction in current pharmacologic principles of drug use, and their role in the diagnoses, prevention and treatment of disease. Theoretical and practical issues of pharmacology will be discussed to assist practitioners with therapeutic selection, use and evaluation of drug therapy. Pharmacogenomic, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic concepts will be emphasized for many of the major pharmacologic classes of drugs used in clinical medicine. The lecture material will be reinforced through case presentations and student participation.

This is an elective for the Technology Transfer Certifi cation Program.

SPAN 102                                                                                                  Spring, 2 credits
Spanish for Beginners II                                                                            Angela Rodriguez

Continuation of SPAN 101. Presentation and role-play situations are included to reach a higher profi ciency level. Narration in the past is introduced.
Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or equivalent. Audio program is available.
Registration limited to 25 students
Failure to re-register for the second semester could result in cancellation
of that semester due to low enrollment.