Environmental Toxicology Research Training Grant
Core Courses
Principles of Toxicology (EHS 506)
Principles underlying the chemical, physiological and anatomical
basis of toxicity, including dose-response relationships, toxicokinetics,
biotransformation, mechanisms of cellular injury and death, organ system
toxicity, developmental toxicology, genotoxicity, toxicogenomics, and
chemical carcinogenesis. Principles are illustrated with specific examples
of toxicity from environmental contaminants and pharmaceutical agents.
Toxicology Research Analysis and Presentation
(EHS 628)
Presentations of research topics from current literature by first
year students, with the aim of developing skills for interpreting and
communicating scientific information in a seminar format. Advisors assist
in selection and preparation for the presentation. The requirement for
this course will be waived if a trainee gives a seminar in his or her
home department during the first year in the program and notifies the
director of the training program in advance of the seminar.
Introduction to Biostatistics (or equivalent)
(BIOSTAT 503)
Fundamental statistical concepts related to the practice of public
health: descriptive statistics; probability; sampling; statistical distributions;
estimation; hypothesis testing; chi-square tests; simple and multiple
linear regression; one-way ANOVA. Use of computer in statistical analysis.
Two of the Following Biomedical Science Courses
Molecular Genetics (HUMGEN 541)
Fundamental and current research methods for analysis of gene structure
and gene expression based on classic and current papers of molecular
genetics, including: positive and negative regulation of transcription,
mRNA splicing and turnover; DNA recombination, repair and transposition
in relation to cancer, evolution and mutagenesis; strategies for developmental
regulation; and genetic engineering.
Protein Structure and Function (BIOLCHEM 550)
Relationship of protein structure to various aspects of protein function;
general introduction to three-dimensional protein structure including
discussion of structure determination methods and forces in protein
structure and stability; binding and allosterism; enzyme catalysis;
protein-nucleic acid interaction, signal transduction and membrane proteins.
Cell Biology (CDB 530)
Membranes, protein synthesis, protein folding, protein trafficking,
epithelial polarity,
cytoskeleton, cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, and signal
transduction.
One of the Following Courses in Physiology/Pathology
Toxicologic Pathology (EHS 616)
Chemical-induced pathologic outcomes on mammalian cells, tissues and
organs with an emphasis on methods used for investigative toxicologic
pathology; integration of toxicologic mechanisms and pathologic outcomes.
Lectures, student-led discussions and slide-reading sessions.
Systems and Integrated Physiology (PHYSIOL 510)
Basic principles of physiological regulatory systems and integration
among the systems that enable them to function as a coordinated unit,
emphasizing the experimental basis for current understandings.
General Pathology for Biomedical Scientists
(PATH 580)
Survey of major diseases.
One of the Following Courses in Biochemical Mechanisms of Xenobiotic
Action
Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (EHS 612)
In-depth analysis of the biochemical and molecular pathways altered
in cells and organisms by exposure to environmental and therapeutic
chemicals. Topics focus on how chemicals disturb cellular processes
through interaction with cellular receptors, ion channels, transporters,
signal transduction pathways, transcription factors, metabolic pathways,
enzymes, cytoskeletal elements and other macromolecular targets. Regulation
and initiation of cell death, mediation of toxicity through redox status
and oxidative stress, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and
immunotoxicology are also discussed. Readings from the current literature.
Cancer Biology (PATH 553)
Carcinogenesis, cancer progression, tumor pathology, oncogenes, cellular
growth control, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenic viruses, apoptosis,
tumor immunology, clinical oncology, and therapeutics, with an emphasis
on the relationship between basic science and clinical aspects of cancer.
Radiation Biology (EHS 583)
Integration of current knowledge about radiation effects on mammals;
mechanisms of radiogenic cancer; radiation-induced DNA damage, DNA repair
and apoptosis; radiation therapy.
Seminars in Receptor Pharmacology (PHRMACOL
610)
Principles of drug action at receptors and modern receptor theory, with
strong emphasis on reading and discussion of current literature.
Signal Transduction (BIOLCHEM/PHRMACOL/PHYSIOL
576)
Hormone and neurotransmitter receptors and cellular effectors that are
regulated by receptor activation; oncogene products as signal transducers;
interaction of known signaling pathways; techniques used to study signal
transduction; and experimental strategies employing these techniques.
Strong emphasis on reading and discussion of current literature.
One of the Following Courses in Mechanisms of Mammalian Toxicology
Mechanisms of Endocrine Toxicology and Hormone
Metabolism (EHS 620)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding
of molecular and cellular mechanisms of endocrine toxicity. Emphasis
is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic
studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.
Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis (EHS 621)
Analysis and integration of genetic, molecular and cellular factors
involved in mechanisms of carcinogenesis. These factors and their interactions
with the environment are applied to hypothesis building and testing,
risk assessment and management using breast cancer as a model for study.
Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicology (EHS
622)
Integration and analysis of scientific information to enhance understanding
and elucidate biochemical and molecular mechanisms in developmental
toxicology. Course emphasis is on student discussions of the theoretical
and practical aspects of embryology as related to biochemical, physiological
and molecular mechanisms of embryotoxicity based on readings from the
scientific literature.
Mechanisms of Reproductive Toxicology (EHS 623)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding
of molecular and cellular mechanisms of reproductive toxicity. Emphasis
is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic
studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.
Mechanisms of Neurotoxicology (EHS 624)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding
of molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Emphasis is on
student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic
studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.