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Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

John A Burns School of Medicine
651 Ilalo Street, BSB 222
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 692-1514
Fax: (808) 692-1968
Web: www.hawaii.edu/cmb

Graduate Faculty

*D. S. Haymer, PhD (Chair)—molecular genetics of Diptera

Biochemistry

*D. M. Jameson, PhD—energetics and dynamics of protein interactions; fluorescence spectroscopy
*K. Kumashiro, PhD—solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance
*S. E. Seifried, PhD—molecular recognition and transcriptional control
*A. G. Theriault, PhD—molecular biology of lipid metabolism and heart disease
*A. Yanagihara, PhD—biochemistry of neurotoxins, neuroactive compounds in cnadarians

Cancer Biology

*A. Bachmann, PhD—biology of membrane proteins in cancer
*J. S. Bertram, PhD—cancer preventative agents, gap junctions, and intercellular communication
*R. V. Cooney, PhD—carcinogenesis
*T. Donlon, PhD—molecular diagnostics of cancer
*L. N. Kolonel, MD, MPH, PhD—dietary and biomarker studies in multiethnic populations
*A. F. Lau, PhD—oncogenes, cellular transformation and signal transduction
*L. Le Marchand, MD, PhD—cancer epidemiology, breast cancer risk
*P. Lorenzo, PhD—diacylglycerols and their participation in carcinogenesis and malignant transformation
J. Ramos, PhD—MAP kinase pathway
*C-W. Vogel, MD, PhD—biochemistry of cellular toxins, neuroblastoma
*R. K. Wada, MD—molecular oncology, oncogene regulation, tumor differentiation

Cell Signaling

*A. Fleig, PhD—excitation-contraction coupling in muscle
*R. Penner, MD, PhD—calcium signaling in neurons and immune cells
*H. Turner, PhD—molecular biology of ion channels in the immune and nervous system

Developmental Biology

*R. Allsopp, PhD—cell biology
*T. Cao, PhD—cell differentiation
*H. G. de Couet, PhD—neurogenetics, cytoskeleton, cell motility
*M. G. Hadfield, PhD—settlement and metamorphosis of marine invertebrate larvae
*T. D. Humphreys, PhD—immune system of sponges, evolutionary foundations of animal immunity, molecular biology of hemichordates
*S. Lozanoff, PhD—developmental biology and craniofacial development
*M. Martindale, PhD—cellular, molecular and evolutionary basis of biological pattern formation
*S. Robinow, PhD—cell death in development
*E. Seaver, PhD—segment polarity signals in annelids
*A. Wikramanayake, PhD—embryological techniques with modern applications to cell and molecular biology

Genetics and Molecular Biology

*M. Berry, PhD—Selenoprotein synthesis
*R. L. Cann, PhD—molecular and evolutionary genetics of animal populations
*D. S. Haymer, PhD—molecular genetics of Diptera
*C. Le Saux, PhD—human genetic disorders, asthma, interleukins and pulmonary function
*O. Le Saux, PhD—genetic disorders, elastin, PXE, gene mapping
*T. W. Lyttle, PhD—structure of Drosophila heterochromatin, evolution of chromosomal rearrangements
*S. Robinow, PhD—hormonal regulation of central nervous system development of Drosophila melanogaster
*J. F. Scott, PhD—yeast DNA replication

Geriatrics

*P. Blanchette, MD, MPH—diseases of old age, Alzheimer’s disease

Immunology/Virology

*S. Chang, PhD—immunology, molecular approaches to vaccine development
*Y. Lu, PhD—retrovirology, herpes virus, infections in marine organisms
*P. Patek, PhD—cellular immunity
*E. Tam, MD—mast cell proteases, asthma, and immunology
*K. Yamaga, PhD—immunological mechanisms of disease
*R. Yanagihara, MD—viral pathogens, molecular phylogeny, emerging infections

Matrix Pathobiology

*K. Csiszar, PhD—lysyl oxidase tumor suppressor family

Neurobiology/Neurophysiology

*D. C. Blanchard, PhD—psychopharmacology and neurobiology of behavior
*R. J. Blanchard, PhD—experimental ethology and ethnopharmacology
*I. Cooke, PhD—cellular neurobiology, peptidergic neurons in culture
*D. K. Hartline, PhD—small network neurophysiology
*P. A. Li, PhD—ischemic brain damage, diabetes, neurophysiology
*M. D. Rayner, PhD—sodium channel control mechanisms

Plant Molecular Physiology

*D. Borthakur, PhD—regulation of genes in the rhizosphere bacteria by root exudates
*J. Hu, PhD—molecular biology of plant viruses

Reproduction Function

*G. Bryant-Greenwood, PhD—molecular and cell biology of human fetal membranes and decidua
*Y. Marikawa, PhD—molecular control of the body plan of vertebrate embyros
*L. Millar, MD—effects of distension on gene expression in human fetal membranes and decidua
*M. Ward, PhD—biology of reproduction
*W. S. Ward, PhD—tertiary structure of DNA, nuclear structure, and genetic instability
*R. Yanagimachi, DSci—mammalian germ cells, assisted reproduction, cloning and transgenesis

Degrees Offered: MS in biomedical sciences (cell and molecular biology), PhD in biomedical sciences (cell and molecular biology)

The Academic Program

The cell and molecular biology (CMB) program in biomedical sciences represents an interdisciplinary approach to graduate education with faculty in many sub-disciplines of biology dedicated to helping qualified students pursue original research using modern approaches to cell and molecular biology. The first cohort of students was admitted in August 2000. The CMB program brings together faculty from three colleges and various research institutes. Planning for collaborative research is emphasized in this program, as well as solid training in a variety of laboratory techniques.

The CMB program provides fellowships for PhD students in their first year, and additional support in the way of research or teaching assistantships are available for qualified applicants in subsequent years. The program is intended to prepare students for careers in academia, research institutes, and in expanding areas of biotechnology in the private sector.

Master’s students fall into two categories, depending on whether they opt for a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). The MS Plan B is usually a terminal degree, appropriate for professionals in medical technology, government, and related fields who wish to obtain broad training in modern genetics to advance their credentials in their chosen fields. The completion of the MS Plan A serves as a qualifying examination for students who intend to continue toward the PhD in cell and molecular biology. It may also serve as a terminal degree for those who wish to pursue careers as research technicians, either in the public or private sector.

Advising

For complete details regarding the program, contact Lyn Hamamura at lynn@hawaii.edu or visit the website at www.hawaii.edu/cmb.

Graduate Study

Applicants are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree emphasizing biological or physical sciences with courses in calculus, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology. Applicants with MD degrees are welcome. Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test should be submitted with the application, and students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Three letters of recommendation from former instructors or research supervisors, a CMB program graduate express form, and transcripts from previous universities or colleges attended must also be submitted.

Master’s Degree

The curriculum core of the CMB program is a specialized lecture class, spanning two semesters (CMB 621-622). The remaining credit requirements can be fulfilled by specialized courses, seminars, and research units as recommended by the particular committee and research advisor each student picks to guide their academic program. Following the completion of the two semester core course, the student is expected to pass a qualifying exam, form a committee, and then propose, complete, and defend an original research project (MS Plan A) or study plan and research paper (MS Plan B).

Doctoral Degree

PhD candidates do not need to have completed a master’s degree. If an MS was not earned through the CMB program, the core lecture class is required (CMB 621-622). Formal course requirements beyond the core include additional courses specified by the dissertation committee, including CMB 626 Ethics in Biomedical Research and three laboratory rotations. The student is expected to form a committee, propose, complete, and defend an original research project and publish at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal during their graduate career.

Selected Specialized Courses

Cell Biology

  • MICR 641 Ultrastructure of Cells
  • MICR 655 Advanced Virology
  • MBBE 620 Plant Biochemistry
  • TPSS 614 Molecular Genetics of Crops
  • TRMD 604 Infectious Disease Micro I
  • TRMD 671 Advanced Medical Parasitology
  • TRMD 690 Seminar in Tropical Medicine and Public Health
  • ZOOL 610 Topics in Development and Reproductive Biology

Molecular Biology

  • CMB 625 Advanced Topics in Genetics
  • CMB 654 Genetics Seminars
  • MICR 625 Advanced Immunology
  • MICR 661 Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics
  • MICR 671 Bacterial Genetics
  • MBBE 680 Methods in Plant Molecular Biology

Neurobiology

  • PHRM 640 Neuropharmacology
  • PHYL 606 Human Neurophysiology
  • ZOOL 712 Topics in Nerve/Muscle Physiology

CMB Courses