Techniques in Biochemistry (BMB601)

This course is designed to introduce students to a range of experimental techniques that are in routine use in a functioning biochemistry laboratory with the objective that they can understand basic principles behind these techniques and are able to understand their applicability in their future research. Whenever possible, the course combines lectures illustrating the scientific principles underlying a particular technique with the demonstration of the methodology in the laboratory.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Design appropriate strategies for cloning, expressing and purifying proteins of interest and their characterization.
2. Demonstrate the mechanisms of nucleic acid-protein interactions and their applications in solving a research problem.
3. Compare the best strategy for cell fractionation, protein isolation and purification.
4. Describe the techniques for cell culture and assays for cell death.
5. Apply the techniques for protein/enzyme analysis in research and development.

Advanced Molecular Biology (BMB602)

The field of Molecular and Cellular Biology has given scientists unprecedented control over species manipulation and development. This course will have an in-depth coverage of the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. In this course, we will discuss the nature of genes and chromosomes (the repositories of genetic information) and the mechanics of DNA synthesis and genome replication, followed by discussions on repair, recombination and transposition. We will also discuss the pathways of gene expression (transcription, RNA processing, and translation) and the mechanisms of regulating these pathways, with special emphasis on transcriptional control. Latest literature on these topics will be covered.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Explain and discuss how gene structure is important in determining function and how molecular biology techniques are used to elucidate gene organization into cells.
2. Discuss the current literature in understanding DNA replication, gene transcription, and translation, and plan and design techniques used to study these processes.
3. Compare and discuss the latest understanding of how gene expression is regulated in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
4. Discuss the different types of mutations and their repair mechanisms, and understand recombination, transposition, in relation to the pathophysiology of cancer.
5. Explain the role of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of gene expression and their significance to medicine and biomedical research.
6. Evaluate data, generate hypotheses, and design experiments to investigate a scientific problem in molecular biology.
7. Develop an in-depth literature review and present advanced knowledge in the specialized fields of molecular biology.

Advanced Cell Biology (BMB603)

This course will focus on the cellular biochemistry of higher organisms: mechanisms of cellular communication, intracellular signaling, cell growth and oncogenic transformation. During the course, two basic cellular structures will be discussed: membrane and mitochondria, two important key players in cell signaling and cell death. Concepts like cell signaling, cell cycle, oxidative stress and cell death will be reviewed. The course will end with an introductory lecture on stem cell biology. Recent experimental findings and new approaches used to investigate how cells work will be emphasized. Students will also be taught how to explore the cell biology literature and to critically evaluate scientific publications in some of the topics.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the structure of cellular membranes and the different transport mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.
2. Classify the signaling pathways by which cells communicate and respond to external signals and their role in cancer cell survival.
3. Summarize the post-translational modifications and folding mechanism of proteins and how they are transported to their respective target membranes and organelles in a cell.
4. Analyze the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell cycle and the alterations that can lead to cancer.
5. Discuss the functions of mitochondria and oxidative stress in cellular defense and cell survival.
6. Compare the different signaling processes involved in the development and destruction of eukaryotic cells.

Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (BMB604)

This course is designed to prepare students in learning advanced cellular biochemistry and metabolism under physiological and pathophysiological conditions for successful careers in academia and biotechnology industries. The course also provides enhanced education opportunities for students who wish to extend their knowledge, experience, and opportunities as independent scientists in academic research at universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, health/biomedical science management or teaching. In this course, advanced cellular biochemistry will be explained to signify the importance of metabolism in normal physiology and pathophysiological conditions. Faculty lectures and students reports will focus on these.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply the knowledge of Biochemistry to advance the understanding the role of nutrition in health diseases.
2. Evaluate the role of different organs/tissues in coordinating the body metabolism in health and diseases.
3. Determine the key metabolic changes in etiology and pathophysiology of common diseases such as blood, liver disorders, obesity and diabetes.
4. Analyze the metabolic changes in diseases associated with lipid, protein, carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleic acids metabolism.
5. Apply the knowledge of cellular metabolism in stem cell self- renewal and differentiation in biomedical research.

Molecular and Cellular Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases (BMB605)

Dysfunction of the human brain can produce a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric illnesses. Over the past decades, neuroscientists have begun to unravel the basic underlying mechanisms of a number of important diseases of the nervous system, at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. None of these disorders are completely understood, and, perhaps more importantly, none are yet susceptible to either total prevention or cure, so that these conditions remain among the most important health problems of our society. These lectures are designed to familiarize the students with basic information about two important neurological disorders Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, and Prion diseases, focusing on a relatively brief clinical description of the condition and a more in depth discussion on current hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying these diseases.

Credit Hours : 2

Special topics in Biochemistry (BMB606)

This course will provide students the chance to rotate through the laboratory of a potential supervisor to learn about the various projects in progress in that laboratory with emphasis on acquainting themselves with the type of research work and techniques being used. Regular attendance (one hour per week) and active participation of the student in observing and learning about these projects is of great importance. The students should study the literature provided by their respective supervisors and familiarize themselves with the research activities being carried out in the laboratory chosen by them.

Credit Hours : 1

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Illustrate the projects being carried out in the chosen laboratory
2. Evaluate the various techniques being conducted in the laboratory to achieve its stated goals
3. Analyze the literature provided by the supervisor to study the research topic(s) under study
4. Apply the knowledge gained during the laboratory rotation to develop a potential thesis project along with the involvement of the supervisor

Molecular Biology (MBIO215)

This course covers the fundamentals of Molecular Biology. The first part introduced the students to the fundamentals of DNA and RNA and how they are used to make proteins. This part of the course consists of the structure/function of nucleic acids, how DNA is assembled into chromatin, replicated, transcribed into RNA, and translated into proteins. Alongside, students are introduced to the concept of genes and how gene expression is regulated, followed by how this process differs in prokaryotes that do not have a nucleus, and eukaryotes, organisms with nucleus. The second part of the course introduces the students to how problems with DNA replication and expression can lead to "errors" that result in disease and how one can study DNA/RNA/proteins in "Molecular Medicine". Thus, this part of the course discusses mutations, how mutations are repaired in the body, and how changes in the structure of DNA can be introduced via specific recombination systems to create diversity. This is followed by a series of lectures on how one can study DNA, RNA, and proteins at the molecular level to study and diagnose diseases and even use these methods for cloning and creating new types of DNA molecules. The course ends with a lecture on how the body uses RNA (RNAi) to control gene expression, a new area that is revolutionizing Molecular Biology.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Compare The Different Types Of Gene Mutations, How They Are Induced, And How They Are Repaired Using Diverse Molecular Mechanisms.
2. Define The Structure And Function Of Dna, Rna, Genes, And Chromosomes.
3. Describe The Process Of Dna Replication, Transcription, Rna Processing, And Translation.
4. Examine The Regulation Of Gene Expression In Prokaryotes And Eukaryotes.
5. Explain The Varied Mechanisms Of Dna Recombination, And How Genes Can Be Cloned And Their Products Characterized Using Various Techniques Of Molecular Biology.

Chemistry for Medicine (MCHE103)

This course covers foundational concepts in general chemistry to enable students to understand the physiology and biochemistry of the human body in health and disease which they will study in subsequent courses. During the Chemistry practicals, students will be introduced to the principles of safe laboratory practice and will become familiar with the equipment commonly used in the chemistry laboratory. Students will become familiar with scientific writing in terms of completing laboratory reports.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Compare Between Acids, Bases, Ph, Buffers, Buffering Action And Its Role In Human Physiology.
2. Define Atomic Structure And Chemical Bonds And The Difference Between Various Types Of Chemical Bonds, Molecular Interactions As Well As Their Role In Determining Physical And Chemical Properties Of Compounds.
3. Distinguish Between Aliphatic And Aromatic Hydrocarbons, And Their Chemical And Physical Properties.
4. Explain Water, Solution And Solubility, Concentration Of Solution, Concept Of Molarity And Their Relevance To Medicine.
5. Identify Functional Groups Of Organic Compounds And Chemical Reactions As Well As The Role Of These Functional Groups And Chemical Reactions In Human Biology.
6. Interpret The Results Obtained In The Laboratory Experiments Performed During The Lab Sessions.

Biological Chemistry (MCHE108)

This course is divided into three parts. During the first part, students will be introduced to the different classes of the basic molecules of life (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids) the differences in their structure and function and how these form into biochemical complex compounds. The second part will discuss the biology of cells of higher organisms: the structure and function of cellular membranes and organelles; the chromatin structure and genes; the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix and cell movements; the cell death and cell junctions. Finally, the third part will introduce the concept of nutrition describing the importance of vitamins and minerals. In addition, cellular physiology areas such as pH, buffers and enzyme mechanisms will also be discussed.

Credit Hours : 3

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss The Basic Structure And Function Of The Main Types Of Cellular Organic Molecules, Vitamins And Minerals.
2. Explain The Principles Of Bioenergetics And The Relationship Between Nutrition And Energy.
3. Explain The Role Of Buffering Mechanisms, Lung And Kidney In Maintaining The Ph Of The Body.
4. Explain The Structure, Function And Coordination Of Eukaryotic Cellular Components, Cell Junctions And Extracellular Matrix, And Correlate Changes Or Losses In Cell Function With Different Pathological Conditions.
5. Explain The Structure, Kinetics And Regulation Of Clinically-Relevant Enzymes. Discuss The Relevance Of Enzyme Kinetics To Physiological And Pathophysiological Conditions.
6. Interpret The Results Obtained In The Laboratory Experiments Performed During The Practical Sessions.

Cellular Communication and Metabolism (MTAB221)

This course covers cellular communication and metabolism for successful progress in organ system. The course will provide basic knowledge of cellular communication and receptor based cell signalling by hormones and intracellular signalling mechanisms which control cellular growth and metabolism. The course will also introduce you with basic concept of cellular metabolism (anabolism i.e. synthesis of biomolecules and catabolism i.e. breakdown of biomolecules) in different compartments of cells using carbohydrate (sugars), nucleotides, lipids, and amino acid metabolism as examples. You will also learn about the metabolism and excretion of the important metabolic waste products such as urea and bilirubin. Since liver is a central organ for nutrient metabolism, synthesis, storage and secretion/excretion of metabolic products, you will also learn many functions of the liver in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. During this Course, the students will learn in details, the processes by which cells metabolize their nutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides). They will also learn how cells are communicating with each other and how their metabolism are controlled and regulated.

Credit Hours : 2

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Compare The Major Metabolic Control Of Carbohydrate, Amino Acids, Lipid, Proteins And Nucleotide And Their Relevance To Disease.
2. Describe The Mechanism Of Cell Communication And Cell Signaling.
3. Describe The Role Of The Liver In Metabolic Homeostasis And Discuss The Diseases Associated With Abnormal Liver Function.
4. Identify Different Types Of Signaling Molecules Such As Eicosanoids, Peptides, Neurotransmitters, Steroid And Thyroid Hormones And Explain Their Mode Of Action.
5. Identify The Pathways For The Synthesis, Degradation And Storage Of Major Nutrients (Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, Lipids, Proteins And Nucleotides).