187.632.01
Molecular Toxicology

Location
East Baltimore
Term
2nd Term
Department
Environmental Health and Engineering
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
January 25 and February 8, 2020 - 9:00 AM-4:30 PM; February 22 and March 7, 2020 - 9:00 AM-12:50 PM
M, W, F, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Shyam Biswal
Fenna Sillé
Contact Name
Shyam Biswal
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

A basic course in molecular biology or consent of instructor

Description
Reviews the mechanisms by which environmental toxicants cause chronic diseases such as cancer, COPD, asthma and heart diseases that impact public health. Includes topics: cell signaling pathways involved in oxidative and nitrosative stress, the microbiome, cell growth, cell death, DNA repair, inflammation and carcinogenesis in response to exposure to air pollutants, metals and other environmental toxicants. Presents most recent technological advances in the molecular and genetic tools available to study how environmental toxicants cause diseases, which includes omics technologies (genomics, proteomics and metabolomics), next-generation sequencing for gene expression and genetic variations, transgenic animals and emerging alternative animal models.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyze and discuss the literature regarding a wide array of topics relevant to molecular toxicology, including the molecular response to environmental stress and pathways of carcinogenesis and DNA repair
  2. Describe various gene-environment interactions that lead to either cell adaptation, cell death or disease in response to toxins in the environment
  3. Discuss the application of various state-of-the-art techniques for molecular analyses, including genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, next-gen sequencing, transgenic animal model and alternative animal models for research
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 30% Participation
  • 30% Group Presentation
  • 40% Quizzes
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

Students in the MS in Toxicology for Human Risk Assessment & MHS in Environmental Health, THRA area of interest must take 187.640 Toxicology 21: Scientific Foundations concurrently. Students in other programs are encouraged to do the same.