Biochemistry and Genetics

Cristofer Martin, PhD, Chair

Course Descriptions:
Biochemistry
Genetics

Biochemistry
BCHM 550

The Medical Biochemistry course is planned to provide the students with a working knowledge, which they can use as practicing physicians to provide the biochemical basis for understanding the subsequent courses in the medical curriculum and to enable students to pass the USMLE and BSCE examinations. The first half of the course provides a background for understanding acid-base relations, structure and function of macromolecules, the role of enzymes, and introduction to metabolism and genetics. We also discuss the mechanisms of biochemical reactions involved in energy production, biosynthesis and degradation, with attention being given to their roles in disease. In this half of the term we discuss metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids and their correlation. There is emphasis on the key enzymes and regulatory steps in metabolic pathways, which are important in understanding the regulation of metabolic pathways in different physiological and pathological situations. Hormonal regulation of energy metabolism in the fed and fasting state is discussed. In the second half of the term we discuss nitrogen metabolism. This half of the term is dominated by integrative and clinical subjects. We present and explore the biochemical roles of the major organs of the body together with an overview of the metabolic interplay between organs. We introduce principles of energy balance and the role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining good health. Many topics of clinical significance are discussed like coagulation, plasma proteins, jaundice, porphyries, diabetes, obesity, membrane diseases, undernutrition and clinical acid-base disorders.

In the second half of the term, students study a block of molecular biology lectures which include structure, function, and biosynthesis of RNA and DNA, protein biosynthesis, gene expression, introduction to genomics and the use of molecular genetics in medicine. This ensures that all students have an understanding of the basic concepts and techniques of molecular biology, to be able to fully participate in the genetic-based medicine of the new millennium.
In the second half of the term students participate in small group discussions which are based on a paper clinical case. These sessions are facilitated by students with background in biochemistry or who are high achievers in the midterm exam. The groups are supervised by faculty members.

The Medical Biochemistry course is a well balanced course which teaches the science of biochemistry in a clinical and physiological context and which addresses the needs of the medical student in the 21st century.

Genetics
BCHM 590

This course reviews basic genetics and its application to the study of inherited disorders. It begins with a study of the chromosomes and the disorders that result from their aberrations. Exploration of Mendelian and polygenic inheritance follows, illustrated by representatives of the major heritable disorders of man. There is coverage of molecular and clinical genetics, including prenatal diagnosis and genetic screening. The course concludes with introductions to growth points in modern genetics, cancer genetics, gene therapy, and the Human Genome project.

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