PHAR 5500a / BENG 5200a / C&MP 5500a / MCDB 5500a / PTB 5500a, Physiological Systems  W. Mark Saltzman and Stuart Campbell

The course develops a foundation in human physiology by examining the homeostasis of vital parameters within the body, and the biophysical properties of cells, tissues, and organs. Basic concepts in cell and membrane physiology are synthesized through exploring the function of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. The physical basis of blood flow, mechanisms of vascular exchange, cardiac performance, and regulation of overall circulatory function are discussed. Respiratory physiology explores the mechanics of ventilation, gas diffusion, and acid-base balance. Renal physiology examines the formation and composition of urine and the regulation of electrolyte, fluid, and acid-base balance. Organs of the digestive system are discussed from the perspective of substrate metabolism and energy balance. Hormonal regulation is applied to metabolic control and to calcium, water, and electrolyte balance. The biology of nerve cells is addressed with emphasis on synaptic transmission and simple neuronal circuits within the central nervous system. The special senses are considered in the framework of sensory transduction. Weekly discussion sections provide a forum for in-depth exploration of topics. Graduate students evaluate research findings through literature review and weekly meetings with the instructor.
MWF 9:25am-10:15am

PHAR 5501a and PHAR 5502b / C&MP 5629a and C&MP 5630b / PATH 5679a and PATH 5680b / PTB 5629a and PTB 5630b, Seminar in Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology  Yansheng Liu, Emanuela Bruscia, Arnaud Augert, Caleigh Mandel-Brehm, Hongying Shen, Susumu Tomita, and Christopher Bunick

Readings and discussion on a diverse range of current topics in molecular medicine, pharmacology, and physiology. The class emphasizes analysis of primary research literature and development of presentation and writing skills. Contemporary articles are assigned on a related topic every week, and a student leads discussions with input from faculty who are experts in the topic area. The overall goal is to cover a specific topic of medical relevance (e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration) from the perspective of three primary disciplines (i.e., physiology: normal function; pathology: abnormal function; and pharmacology: intervention). Required of and open only to Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students in the Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology track.
M 2:30pm-4:30pm

PHAR 5503b / C&MP 5503b / IBIO 5503b / PATH 5503b / PTB 5503b, Responsible Conduct of Research, Refresher Course  Staff

The NIH requires that students receive training in the responsible conduct of research every four years. This course meets that requirement for fourth-year students. The course has two components: (1) one large-group session is held for all fourth-year students through the BBS; the main topics are scientific misconduct and authorship; (2) two Immunobiology faculty facilitate discussions based on RCR topics, gathered in advance from the students; anonymous or hypothetical stories are selected by the faculty and discussed in a workshop environment in which students are then asked to analyze each case and suggest courses of actions.
HTBA

PHAR 5504a / PTB 5504a, Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Actions  Wei Mi and Karen Anderson

This course provides fundamental background in core principles of pharmacology, molecular mechanisms of drug action, and key research areas in contemporary pharmacology. Core material includes drug-receptor theory, multiple equilibria and kinetics, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug discovery process, and emerging approaches such as AI-based drug design. Specific content on the mechanisms of drug action includes agents to treat inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious, neoplastic, cardiovascular, and neurological disease. The course includes a self-study component consisting of video modules produced in collaboration between Yale faculty and Merck that explore the preclinical and clinical phases of drug development. Students review these videos independently and then present and discuss what they learned in groups.
MW 10:40am-11:55am

PHAR 5511a and PHAR 5512b / C&MP 5511a and C&MP 5512b / PATH 5620a and PATH 5622b / PTB 5620a and PTB 5622b, Laboratory Rotations  Staff

TMMPP laboratory rotations, fall term.
HTBA

PHAR 5528b, Principles of Signal Transduction  Anton Bennett

The regulation of intracellular signaling is of fundamental importance to the understanding of cell function and regulation. This course introduces the broad principles of intracellular signal transduction. More detailed lectures on specific intracellular signaling pathways are given where students learn both the basic and the most current and cutting-edge concepts of intracellular signaling. Topics covered include regulation of signaling by protein phosphorylation, small G proteins, G protein-coupled receptors, hormones, phospholipids, and adhesion proteins. Additionally, lectures focus on current techniques used to study signal transduction pathways.
TTh 9:25am-10:40am

PHAR 5529b / MB&B 5290b, Structural Biology and Drug Discovery  Joel Butterwick and Ya Ha

A comprehensive introduction to the concepts and practical uses of structural biology and structural biology-related techniques in drug discovery. The first half of the course focuses on techniques used to discover and optimize small and macromolecule drugs. Students are introduced to topics such as small molecule lead discovery, interpretation of protein structures, X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, NMR, and other biophysical techniques. The second half of the course provides a deep analysis of protein kinases and helps students understand different methods of targeting this important class of protein for drug discovery. The course also provides real-world examples of drug development from faculty who have taken an idea from their lab through to clinical trials. The course includes a practical session in the macromolecular X-ray crystallography core facility on the medical school campus. The course also includes a field trip to the Yale Center for Drug Discovery on West Campus, where the students are introduced to the in-house Yale screening facilities for small molecule drug discovery.
MW 9:25am-10:40am

PHAR 5530b, Targeted Use of Structural Biology in Drug Discovery  Joel Butterwick and Ya Ha

A comprehensive introduction to the concepts and practical uses of structural biology and structural biology-related techniques in drug discovery. The first half of the course focuses on techniques used to discover and optimize small and macromolecule drugs. Students are introduced to topics such as small molecule lead discovery, interpretation of protein structures, X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, NMR, and other biophysical techniques. The second half of the course provides a deep analysis of protein kinases and helps students understand different methods of targeting this important class of protein for drug discovery. The course also provides real-world examples of drug development from faculty who have taken an idea from their lab through to clinical trials. The course includes a practical session in the macromolecular X-ray crystallography core facility on the medical school campus. The course also includes a field trip to the Yale Center for Drug Discovery on West Campus, where the students are introduced to the in-house Yale screening facilities for small molecule drug discovery. Two half-credit courses—PHAR 5530 and PHAR 5531—are also offered for the two halves of PHAR 5529. PHAR5530 is a half-credit course for the second half of PHAR 5529.  ½ Course cr
HTBA

PHAR 5531b, Concepts of Structural Pharmacology  Joel Butterwick and Ya Ha

A comprehensive introduction to the concepts and practical uses of structural biology and structural biology-related techniques in drug discovery. The first half of the course focuses on techniques used to discover and optimize small and macromolecule drugs. Students are introduced to topics such as small molecule lead discovery, interpretation of protein structures, X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, NMR, and other biophysical techniques. The second half of the course provides a deep analysis of protein kinases and helps students understand different methods of targeting this important class of protein for drug discovery. The course also provides real-world examples of drug development from faculty who have taken an idea from their lab through to clinical trials. The course includes a practical session in the macromolecular X-ray crystallography core facility on the medical school campus. The course also includes a field trip to the Yale Center for Drug Discovery on West Campus, where the students are introduced to the in-house Yale screening facilities for small molecule drug discovery. Two half-credit courses—PHAR 5530 and PHAR 5531—are also offered for the two halves of PHAR 5529. PHAR 5531 is a half-credit course for the first half of PHAR 5529.  ½ Course cr
HTBA

PHAR 5538a, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Neuropharmacology  Jason Cai and Nicolas Guehl

This course is designed to give a historic account of drug discovery and development for brain diseases, introduce methods to understand the pharmacological mechanisms of drugs working on neurological systems, and inspire young generations to join the endeavor of drug discovery and development for brain diseases. It is designed for advanced graduate students, postdocs, and residents with basic knowledge in chemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience. The lecturers and guest lecturers are leading experts in the field of PET and MR imaging, and industry leaders in pharmaceutical science. This course also introduces the applications of advanced imaging technologies (PET, MRI) in the study of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CNS drugs in humans and its implications to our understanding of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Each class constitutes a forty-five-minute didactic lecture and a thirty-minute interactive discussion section. The classroom activities are expected to prepare students for their future endeavor in the field of neuropharmacology. Open to students second-year and up.
MW 12:15pm-1:30pm

PHAR 5580b / C&MP 5650b / PATH 5660b / PTB 5650b, The Responsible Conduct of Research  Barbara Ehrlich

Organized to foster discussion, the course is taught by faculty in the Pharmacology, Pathology, and Physiology departments and two or three senior graduate students. Each session is based on case studies from primary literature, reviews, and two texts: Francis Macrina’s Scientific Integrity and Kathy Barker’s At the Bench. Each week, students are required to submit a reaction paper discussing the reading assignment. Students take turns leading the class discussion; a final short paper on a hot topic in bioethics is required.
Th 11am-12:15pm

PHAR 5600b / BENG 5270b / C&MP 5560b / MCDB 5600b, Cellular and Molecular Physiology: Molecular Machines in Human Disease  Emile Boulpaep

The course focuses on understanding the processes that transfer molecules across membranes at the cellular, molecular, biophysical, and physiological levels. Students learn about the different classes of molecular machines that mediate membrane transport, generate electrical currents, or perform mechanical displacement. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the molecular structures of membrane proteins and their individual functions. The interactions among transport proteins in determining the physiological behaviors of cells and tissues are also stressed. Molecular motors are introduced and their mechanical relationship to cell function is explored. Students read papers from the scientific literature that establish the connections between mutations in genes encoding membrane proteins and a wide variety of human genetic diseases.
MWF 9:25am-10:15am

PHAR 6540b, Qualifying Exam Prep Class for Pharmacology  Mark Lemmon, Titus Boggon, and Moitrayee Bhattacharyya

The goal of this class is to teach students to conceive, write, and defend a grant proposal. The timing of this half-term course is aligned with the pharmacology qualifying exam in the spring term, for which a written research proposal is required. This course takes students through the steps of proposal writing, guiding them in defining a problem of their own and training them in the mechanics of writing. Additional support is given as needed to students with more limited writing experience. By taking the “guesswork” out of the writing process, students can focus on the development of their research proposal without the added anxiety associated with an unfamiliar process. Students learn about the structure and components of fellowship and grant proposals. They engage in “mock study sections”, providing written critiques and participating in discussion of sample proposals assigned by the instructors. Students give oral presentations of their specific aims followed by classroom discussion. At the end of the course, students will have made substantial progress toward completing the written portion of their qualifying exam and gained a set of competencies central to this program. Open to pharmacology graduate students only.
WF 9am-10:30am