Program Overview

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

The PhD in Biomedical Sciences offers training in various disciplines, including Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Biology. This area provides training in inter-related disciplines such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Oncology, Neuroscience, and Tumor Immunology.

Research Areas

Many opportunities exist within and between these disciplines for students to engage in groundbreaking work on areas such as:

• Autoimmune disorders and cancer therapy
• Microbiome biology and the genetic analysis of microbial systems Trainees may also integrate training in these disciplines with advanced training in computational biology to establish rigorous expertise in both domains.

Curriculum

Electives relevant to this discipline include:

• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Fundamentals of Microbiology
• Cellular Neuroscience
• Genetics and Genomics: From Peas to People
• Introduction to Immunology
• Methods in Quantitative Biology
• Molecular Neurobiology
• Molecular Mechanisms in Biology
• Advanced Cytometry Techniques
• Host Pathogen Interactions
• Ion Channels and Transporters
• Neuroanatomy
• Mammalian Stem Cells in Disease
• Protein Modifications in Cell Signaling
• Behavior & Cognitive Neuroscience
• Techniques in Structural Biology
• Translating Cancer Discovery into Clinical Practice

Training and Education

Traditional didactic courses are complemented by hands-on training in areas such as:

• Imaging and image-analysis
• Proteomics and metabolomics
• Flow cytometry
• Structural biology
• Single cell RNAseq analysis These practical workshops position students to be highly productive upon entering a lab and beginning thesis work. Continuous learning through discipline-specific journal clubs, seminar series, and works-in-progress meetings provide further depth within specific disciplines throughout the course of the PhD.

Translational Research

These areas integrate molecular research with clinical applications, providing a robust foundation for translational discoveries that may lead to innovative treatments. Trainees in these areas are integrated across various translational centers and programs, including but not limited to the Perlmutter Cancer Center. These translational research communities provide opportunities for students to learn from and engage with clinicians and obtain access to relevant human biospecimens and cohorts.

Faculty and Research

With our training faculty, trainees engage with diverse model systems, techniques, and approaches that elucidate fundamental biological mechanisms, mechanisms of disease, and new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The faculty includes experts in various fields, providing a comprehensive and well-rounded education.