Ph.D. Minor in Biomolecular Imaging

The Ph.D. Minor in Medical Biophysics/Biomolecular Imaging draws on the resources of the interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomolecular Imaging to train students in the biomedical sciences in the fundamentals of modern imaging methodologies, with the intent of making these powerful tools as widely available as possible, so that students can understand where imaging may be a valuable approach to aid the progress of their current and future research. It should be noted that imaging methodologies are increasingly an important component of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, providing new opportunities for pre-clinical testing of new products, so the Minor will be of benefit for those students whose career goals lie in the business arena. The Program in Biomolecular Imaging provides the faculty for the Minor, and has developed and runs the courses for the Minor, which also serve as core courses for the Ph.D. program.

The Minor offers the opportunity to draw together students from all the graduate programs in the Biomedical Sciences. We anticipate that the Minor would be especially appropriate for students in Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology and Pharmacology and Toxicology in the School of Medicine. The interdisciplinary nature of the Minor also makes it relevant for students in Chemistry, Biology and Physics

Faculty preceptors for the Minor will be the same as for the Ph.D. Program in Biomolecular Imaging.

Highlights

• Rigorous, highly focused nine-credit hour curriculum.
• Provides training in the fundamentals of modern imaging methodologies using light, electrons and x-rays.
• Courses taught by faculty associated with the Ph.D. program in Medical Biophysics: Biomolecular Imaging.
• Expertise in a wide range of imaging techniques including confocal and 2-photon fluorescence microscopy, nanoscale imaging, electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography.
• Coursework encompasses both the fundamental principles underlying imaging methods, and training in the application of imaging techniques to biological problems.
• Includes imaging methods applicable to imaging at the molecular, cellular or whole animal/organ level.
• Advanced courses include practical demonstrations and hands-on experiences using the state-of-the-art facilities available on campus.
• Appropriate for Ph.D. students in any biomedical discipline interested in gaining sufficient understanding of imaging methods to apply them in their own research, or to properly evaluate data in the scientific literature collected using these methods.

Required Courses:

F592 Introduction to Biomolecular Imaging (3 cr.) Tom Hurley, Ph.D., Course Director. Fall Semester.
Prerequisites: undergraduate level calculus, physics, organic and inorganic chemistry or permission of the instructor.
Description: Introduction to key concepts common to all imaging modalities and exploration of how these concepts apply in the real world at the level of cell and molecular imaging through a survey of the principles and application of modern imaging methods.

G613 Advanced Cellular Imaging (3 cr.) Ken Dunn, Ph.D., Course Director. Spring Semester.
Prerequisites: F592 Intro to Biomolecular Imaging.
Description: Introduction to the imaging methods and concepts used to study cell structure and function. General principles of light and electron microscopy and digital imaging. The course includes six laboratory sessions that will demonstrate application of the methods covered.

G614 Advanced Molecular Imaging (3 cr.) Christoph Naumann, Ph.D., Course Director. Fall Semester.
Prerequisites: F592 Intro to Biomolecular Imaging.
Description: Imaging methods and concepts used in molecular structure and dynamics studies. General principles applied to ensemble and single molecules. Methodologies use light, x-rays, electrons, and atomic force mapping.