Ninety-five faculty from nine basic science departments at the College participate in this program. Faculty in the program pursue research interests in many aspects of modern cell and molecular biology including gene expression and regulation, developmental biology and genetics, the Human Genome Project, human disease genetics, gene therapy, biology of aging, signal transduction and membrane biology, cell-cycle and growth control, structural and computational biology, molecular virology, immunology and AIDS, cancer biology, lipid metabolism and cardiovascular biology. Multi-laboratory research meetings provide a forum for the exchange of research ideas and exposure to other scientists. Overlapping and interactive research programs between investigators and departments permit the student to interact and learn from fellow graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other faculty members engaged in research. The breadth and strength of the combined faculty in the program provide each student with a wide choice of advisors and departments with which to interact.
Students rotate through individual laboratories of their choice during the first year of study.
This permits evaluation of the different areas of research pursued by the investigators as well as exposure to different departments. The participating faculty members are experienced in graduate education and training in their respective departments. Recently matriculated students from these investigators' laboratories have subsequently pursued postdoctoral training in excellent laboratories and quality institutions. During the first year, students participate in a curriculum tailored to their background and needs. A wide variety of didactic courses are available, ranging from general interest topics such as gene regulation, genetics, and molecular methods to more specialized courses in developmental biology, structural biology, immunology, and virology.