PH.D. PROGRAMS IN THE BSTP
After entry in the BSTP, you can choose to complete your degree in any of the following Ph.D. programs. Faculty research areas and recent
highlights for each program are described below, followed by links to individual program websites. The program websites more fully describe
each faculty trainer's research as well as focused coursework in that discipline. You may also wish to review our BSTP
Program Faculty or search faculty research interests
at http://cerebrum.case.edu/searchfacultyinfo.
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Cancer Biology
Immunology
Molecular and Cellular Basis of Disease
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Cancer Therapeutics
Membrane Structural Biology and Pharmacology
Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Regulation
Translational Therapeutics
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Cell and Molecular Physiology
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics
Systems and Integrated Physiology
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Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of cellular function, making it a fundamental discipline in the biological sciences. Research in
biochemistry is focused on proteins and enzymes, structural biology, the regulation of gene expression, and metabolic regulation and gene therapy.
The Biochemistry department enjoys recently renovated laboratory facilities in the Wood building. The Center for RNA Biology forms an active
research group in Biochemistry. Researchers in structural biology use state of the art NMR and X-ray crystallography facilities for biomedical research.
Cell biology is focused on understanding the relationship between cellular organization and cell function. The fundamental processes are addressed at
many different levels by studying macromolecular assemblies, subcellular organelles, and intact cells. Cell biology uses modern techniques of biochemistry,
genetics, immunology and molecular biology to study cell growth and its control, cell-cell recognition and signaling, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix,
protein secretion and endocytosis of membrane components, organelle genesis, and functions of the nuclear envelope.
The Cell Biology program has enjoyed recent revitalization with the participation of many researchers at the Lerner Research Institute at
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. This interdisciplinary program has a weekly journal club and annual retreat.
Molecular biological approaches continue to yield major advances in our understanding of fundamental biological problems. The Molecular Biology program
emphasizes the application of these approaches to investigations of the structure/function relationships of genes, RNA and proteins in important model
systems such as viruses, bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. Particular research and training strengths are found in the areas of regulation of gene
expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, oncogenic virology, bacterial and yeast genetics, RNA processing, protein chemistry and enzymology, and parasitology.
Jonathan Karn, an expert in HIV research joined the Department as Chairman in 2002. New faculty are developing programs in bacterial
pathogenesis and emerging infections.
Molecular Virology and the study of viruses including the human immunodeficiency virus that forms the etiological agent of AIDS, as well
as other retroviruses and human papillomaviruses, in causing disease and cancer. VIruses also form model systems to study biological processes such
as transcription, translation, splicing, and DNA replication. Furthermore, because viruses introduce genetic material into cells as part of their
life cycle, they are being used as vectors for gene therapy.
The Genetics Program emphasizes modern genetic and molecular approaches to understanding fundamental biological processes in Drosophila, C.
elegans, mouse, and human systems. New initiatives are focused on computational biology and genomics in efforts to understand the basis for
common human diseases including cancer, obesity and diabetes. The training environment benefits from a close association between basic
scientists who study model organisms and medical and basic scientists in the Center for Human Genetics who focus on the molecular basis of human disease.
Joseph Nadeau became Chairman in 2003, and brings expertise in mouse genetics for the study of human diseases. He has recruited new
faculty expertise in analysis of the human genome as well as fundamental regulation of development.
Understanding how the brain works is one of the last great frontiers in the biological sciences. Neuroscience program faculty have
research strengths in cellular and molecular approaches to address questions of neural development and synaptic function and systems. The Case
Neuroscience program routinely places in the top 10% of Neurosciences programs nationwide in NIH funding, and is led by Lynn Landmesser, a member
of the National Academies of Science.
New faculty initiatives in Neurosciences have developed sophisticated live-imaging approaches, a focus on neurophysiological approaches,
as well as the development of the Center for Translational Neurosciences.
The Nutrition Program focuses on development of new approaches to metabolic research, including the use of transgenic animal models for
metabolic disorders, the development of techniques to introduce chimeric genes into animals to correct metabolic defects, and the characterization of
genes of metabolic interest.
Experimental pathology addresses the origin, manifestation, and mechanism of disease. Among the major triumphs of modern experimental pathology
have been the enormous advances in the understanding of cancer as well as a host of infectious, immune and metabolic disorders. The Pathology
program boasts expertise in immunology, cancer biology, tissue injury and healing, biomaterials biocompatibility and neurodegenerative diseases.
John Lowe, M.D. an expert on glycobiology in health and disease, became Chair in 2005 and is spearheading the program on clinical and basic research.
Modern pharmacology brings together detailed molecular knowledge of drugs and their cellular receptors to understand the mechanisms by which their
interactions produce changes in the body. Research strengths include the regulation of gene expression, the molecular mechanisms underlying hormonal
regulation, transmission of external signals to the cell, influence of intracellular cations on cell responses, metabolism of drugs and other environmental agents.
Dr. Kris Palczewski, an expert in retinal function, became Chairman in 2005.
Physiology and Biophysics seeks to understand how biological systems operate, spanning from the level of the molecule to the cell to the whole animal. Within this
mechanistic framework, specific areas of research are in cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, neuronal, musculoskeletal, kidney/liver/gastrointestinal and endocrine
systems under both physiological and pathological conditions. These areas are investigated using a variety of approaches that include biochemical, biophysical,
cell biological, electrophysiological, and molecular biological methods.
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