Fundamentals of Molecular Pathology

Catalog description

Molecular pathology is an emerging discipline spanning pathology, molecular biology, biochemistry, proteomics and genetics. This course will delve into how molecular changes result in intracellular and intercellular changes, which ultimately contribute to initiation and/or progression of a disease. This course will provide the basics of molecular biology and cell biology to understand how changes may affect tissue organization and function. This course will revisit and add to your understanding of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Many that study heavy metals, plastics, and pollutants focus on carcinogenesis. However, studies have demonstrated that other clinical disorders are associated with environmental hazards. Different exogenous materials alter the composition and function of different cell types contributing to different disorders. Moreover, lifestyle contributes to molecular changes that contribute to various disorders. Upon completion of the class, students should have a general understanding of how genetic and epigenetic changes contribute to the alterations in cell biology and tissue architecture/function. By the end of this course, each student should be able to connect how basic science research is used in the diagnosis of disease and how clinical studies contribute to formulating new hypotheses for basic science research to uncover predictive biomarkers for treatment or disease progression.