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Wesleyan Catalog Description

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Professors: William Firshein, Paul Haake, Anthony A. Infante, Lewis N. Lukens, Donald B. Oliver (Chair), Irina M. Russu

Assistant Professors: Scott Holmes, Michael McAlear, Ishita Mukerji

Associated Faculty in Chemistry: Anne Baranger, David Beveridge, Philip Bolton, Rex Pratt

The sciences of molecular biology and biochemistry are concerned with the molecular mechanisms of biological processes. The emphasis in molecular biology is on the transmission of genetic information; the emphasis in biochemistry is on the physical and chemical basis of these processes. The department, along with the chemistry and physics departments, also supports an interdisciplinary program in molecular biophysics.

Major. Because molecular biology and biochemistry are interdisciplinary subjects, it is desirable for students to begin working toward the major in the freshman year in order to take advantage of upper-level courses and research opportunities. The following courses are required: Cell Biology and Genetics I (MB&B 205), Genetics II and Development (MB&B 206), Molecular Biology (MB&B 208), and the associated laboratories (MB&B 215/216, and 294 or 395); either Introductory Chemistry 141 and 142 or (preferably) Chemistry 143 and 144, Organic Chemistry I and II (Chemistry 251 and 252), the General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry laboratories (Chemistry 152, 257 and 258), Biochemistry I (MB&B 383) and two upper-level courses in molecular biology and biochemistry. (Suitable courses from other departments may be substituted with permission). One year of mathematics is required. MB&B 381 Physical Chemistry for Life Scientists is also required; this course can be replaced with either one year of physics or one year of physical chemistry (Chemistry 337 and 338). Students going on to graduate school are encouraged to take both physics and physical chemistry.

A typical prospective major, as a freshman, would probably take MB&B 205, 215, 206 and 216 and either Chemistry 141/142, or Chemistry 143/144. Students with weak scientific backgrounds are encouraged to take Chemistry 141/142, or 143/144 as freshmen and defer MB&B 205, 215, 206, 216 until their sophomore year. In the second year, MB&B 208 along with Chemistry 251/252, and the corresponding laboratories (Chemistry 152, 257, 258) would be taken. Students are also encouraged to take a seminar course (Research Frontiers in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, MB&B 209) in the fall of the sophomore year. The major might then take Biochemistry I (MB&B 383) and one upper-level course in the junior year and the second advanced course in the senior year. Majors who are interested in a concentration in molecular biology should take MB&B 294. MB&B 294 which is offered in the spring semester can be taken either in the junior or senior year. Majors who are interested in the a concentration in molecular biophysics should take MB&B 395 in the fall semester in either their sophomore or junior year.

Independent research in the laboratory of a faculty member is also strongly encouraged, both because it is an intrinsically valuable experience and because many graduate and professional schools require it. Research provides a completely different dimension of experience, enabling the student to interact with graduate students and faculty members on a professional level. The research interests of the faculty include: Control of DNA replication; mechanism of protein secretion; molecular studies of Lyme Disease; genetics of cell cycle control in the yeast S. cerevisiae; execution of DNA replication and DNA repair; metabolic aspects of cellular stress responses; chromatin structure, genome organization and the regulation of gene expression; cellular differentiation; the molecular basis of embryonic development and developmental genetics; protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions; the structural dynamics of nucleic acids and proteins; biological assembly mechanisms; enzyme mechanisms; biochemistry of b-lactam antibiotics; and the chemistry of phosphate- and guanidinium-containing compounds and ascorbic acid. A description of the research interests of each faculty member is available in the departmental office (Room 205 Hall-Atwater).

In conjunction with the Biology Department, the department sponsors a seminar series Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. at which distinguished scientists from other institutions present their research. Refreshments are available just prior to these seminars in 201 Shanklin. There is also a Wednesday evening seminar program in biochemistry (MB&B 587/588) for which course credit may be obtained.

The advisers for new majors in 1996“97 are Drs. L. Lukens, fall (Room 236 Hall-Atwater) and I. Russu, spring (Room 203 Hall-Atwater). The adviser for seniors is Dr. W. Firshein (Room 238 Hall-Atwater).

General education courses. The department offers several courses without prerequisites on a rotating basis for non-majors: Molecules, Microbes, and Man (MB&B 104); Physics of the Living Cell (MB&B 107); Molecular Basis of Nutrition (MB&B 115); and Biochemical Basis of Pharmaceuticals (MB&B 158). The introductory courses for majors (MB&B 205, 206, 215, 216) are also available for students with appropriate backgrounds.

Graduate program. There are currently 23 graduate students in the department and the graduate program is an integral part of the department offerings. Graduate students serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses and upper-level undergraduates are encouraged to take graduate-level courses and seminars. Undergraduates who choose to do research in a faculty memberÃs laboratory usually interact closely with the graduate students in that laboratory.

Honors in molecular biology and biochemistry. In order to be considered for departmental honors, a student must:

1. Be an MB&B major and be recommended to the department by a faculty member. It is expected that the student will have a B average (grade-point average 85) in courses credited to the major.

2. Submit either a research thesis, based upon laboratory research, or a library thesis, based upon library research, carried out under the supervision of a member of the department.



Last Update 8/97

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