Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences Saint Louis University School of Medicine

1. Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences Saint Louis University School of Medicine

2. In 1998, the four Ph.D. granting programs in the biomedical sciences at the St. Louis University School of Medicine established a First-Year Core Curriculum for all entering doctoral students. All students apply to the Core Program and, upon acceptance, begin a year of multidisciplinary coursework and four formal laboratory rotations that lead to the selection of a graduate advisor and entry into one of the four, distinct Ph.D. programs. The first year courses focus on the basic biochemical, molecular, cellular and organismal aspects of the biomedical sciences. This prepares the student for more intensive, individualized instruction, unique to the discipline they choose to study further in the following years. Instructors come from all four Ph.D. programs and their charge is to introduce the students to the most recent findings in their fields including not only the current level of knowledge in the field, but also the methodologies used to study the major issues in their discipline. Our emphasis is on the preparation of technically skilled and thoughtful scientists for diverse careers in academia, industry or government. The four Ph.D. programs that the students may access upon completion of their first year of study are: Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMolecular Microbiology and ImmunologyPathologyPharmacological and Physiological Sciences.

3. Timeline of Graduate Studies First Year Core Curriculum Including Lab Rotations Application for Admission (Applicants with Advanced Degrees) Second Academic Year in a Chosen Departmental Program Qualifying Exams at End of Year Two Completion of Original Research Doctorate Defense (Average time to graduation: 5 years)

4. CORE CURRICULUM Fall SemesterSpring Semester BBSG 501 Lecture BBSG 503 Lecture Macromolecules Fundamentals of Cell Biology DNA Cellular Neuroscience Genetics Cell Signaling RNA processing Nuclear Signaling and Cancer Bioenergetics Systems Biology Development Virology Immunobiology BBSG 502 Special Topics BBSG 504 Special Topics Small group discussion Small group discussion of classic literature of current literature BBSG 592 Colloquium BBSG 592 Colloquium BBSG 597 Lab Rotations BBSG 597 Lab Rotations Summer Semester RM 610 Biostatistics BBSG 597 Bioinformatics

5. Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology http://biochemweb.slu.edu (314) 977-9200 Dr. Enrico Di Cera Professor and Chair

6. http://medschool.slu.edu/mmi/ (314) 977-8850 Dr. William Wold Professor and Chair Research in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology reflects the strength and diversity of its faculty through a unifying focus of the study of host-pathogen interactions, especially in the area of virology. Areas of interest include viral pathogenesis, immunology, molecular and cellular biology, vaccine development (discovery and clinical trials), biodefense, and cancer gene therapy. The virology program is one of the strongest in the USA, and it encompasses research on adenoviruses, flaviviruses, hepatitis B and C viruses, herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus, Varicella Zoster virus), HIV, and poxviruses (including model studies for smallpox). Other research addresses parasites (T. cruzi), fungi, cell cycle regulation, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and the role of mitochondrial mutations in disease.

7. The Department of Pathology offers a graduate program in molecular pathobiology leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The faculty work closely with graduate students in the department to assist them in acquiring the requisite academic background and practical laboratory skills for successful research careers in academics, industry, medicine or government. Excellent research facilities for cellular and molecular studies in pathobiology are available in the department. Facilities include fluorescence and confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, tissue culture facilities, video image analysis, and an EM lab equipped with both scanning and transmission microscopes. Departmental faculty maintain research collaborations with colleagues in the academic and industrial community which further broadens opportunities and exposure to technical skills and research expertise for graduate students. http://path.slu.edu (314) 577-8475 Dr. Carole Vogler Professor and Chair

8. The Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science is a major participant in the current excitement involving research in modern biomedical science. The faculty in the department have diversified backgrounds in the fields of biochemistry, medicine, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and physiology. A common theme involves the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of intracellular and intercellular communication. Major areas of specialization include: neurotransmitter biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology; molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacology of neurotransmitter, autocoid, neurohumoral and hormone receptors; intracellular signaling and transduction mechanisms; electrophysiology and ion channels; neurochemistry; cardiovascular and circulatory control mechanisms; regulation and function of the autonomic, somatic and central nervous systems; molecular, cellular and endocrine control mechanisms; respiratory physiology; neuropharmacology and drugs of abuse. http://medschool.slu.edu/pharmphys/ (314) 977-6400 Dr. Thomas Burris Professor and Chair

9. EXAMPLES OF WHERE OUR RECENT GRADUATES GO Postdoctoral Fellowships National Institute of Environmental Health Northwestern University University of Calgary University of Colorado Harvard University Mass Inst Tech (MIT) Washington University Rockefeller University Cornell University Med College Georgia University of Wisconsin UCLA Johns Hopkins University of Arizona Academic Faculty Positions Saint Louis University Texas Tech University John Jay College, NY Washington University University of Colorado Health Sci Oklahoma State University University of Virginia Med College of WIsconsin Industry Positions Glaxo Smith Kline Sigma Aldrich Allergan Bristol Meyers Squibb Organon Merck Patton Boggs (Law firm) Monsanto Covidien Pfizer

10. Core Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences Saint Louis University School of Medicine CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. W.K. Samson Director (314) 977-8677 samsonwk@slu.edu Lindsay Oliver Administrative Assistant (314) 977-8678 oliverl@slu.edu Information, Links to Departments and Application Forms are available at: http://medschool.slu.edu/gpbs