Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
In 1998, the four Ph.D. granting programs in the biomedical sciences at the St.
Louis University School of Medicine established a First-Year Core Curriculum for
all entering doctoral students. All students apply to the Core Program and, upon
acceptance, begin a year of multidisciplinary coursework and four formal
laboratory rotations that lead to the selection of a graduate advisor and entry into
one of the four, distinct Ph.D. programs. The first year courses focus on the basic
biochemical, molecular, cellular and organismal aspects of the biomedical
sciences. This prepares the student for more intensive, individualized instruction,
unique to the discipline they choose to study further in the following years.
Instructors come from all four Ph.D. programs and their charge is to introduce the
students to the most recent findings in their fields including not only the current
level of knowledge in the field, but also the methodologies used to study the
major issues in their discipline. Our emphasis is on the preparation of technically
skilled and thoughtful scientists for diverse careers in academia, industry or
government.
The four Ph.D. programs that the students may access upon completion of their
first year of study are:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Pathology
Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences.
Timeline of Graduate Studies
First Year Core Curriculum Including Lab Rotations
Application for
Admission
(Applicants with Advanced Degrees)
Second Academic Year
in a Chosen Departmental Program
Qualifying Exams at End of Year Two
Completion of Original Research
(Average time to graduation: 5 years)
Doctorate Defense
CORE CURRICULUM
Fall Semester
BBSG 501 Lecture
Macromolecules
DNA
Genetics
RNA processing
Bioenergetics
Development
Immunobiology
BBSG 502 Special Topics
Small group discussion
of classic literature
BBSG 592 Colloquium
BBSG 597 Lab Rotations
Spring Semester
BBSG 503 Lecture
Fundamentals of Cell Biology
Cellular Neuroscience
Cell Signaling
Nuclear Signaling and Cancer
Systems Biology
Virology
BBSG 504 Special Topics
Small group discussion
of current literature
BBSG 592 Colloquium
BBSG 597 Lab Rotations
Summer Semester
RM 610 Biostatistics
BBSG 597 Bioinformatics
Edward A. Doisy Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
http://biochemweb.slu.edu
(314) 977-9200
Dr. Enrico Di Cera
Professor and Chair
http://medschool.slu.edu/mmi/
(314) 977-8850
Dr. William Wold
Professor and Chair
Research in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
reflects the strength and diversity of its faculty through a unifying focus of the
study of host-pathogen interactions, especially in the area of virology. Areas
of interest include viral pathogenesis, immunology, molecular and
cellular biology, vaccine development (discovery and clinical trials),
biodefense, and cancer gene therapy. The virology program is one of the
strongest in the USA, and it encompasses research on adenoviruses,
flaviviruses, hepatitis B and C viruses, herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus,
Varicella Zoster virus), HIV, and poxviruses (including model studies for
smallpox). Other research addresses parasites (T. cruzi), fungi, cell cycle
regulation, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and the role of mitochondrial
mutations in disease.
The Department of Pathology offers a graduate program in molecular pathobiology
leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The faculty work closely with graduate
students in the department to assist them in acquiring the requisite academic
background and practical laboratory skills for successful research careers in
academics, industry, medicine or government. Excellent research facilities for
cellular and molecular studies in pathobiology are available in the department.
Facilities include fluorescence and confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, tissue
culture facilities, video image analysis, and an EM lab equipped with both scanning
and transmission microscopes. Departmental faculty maintain research
collaborations with colleagues in the academic and industrial community which
further broadens opportunities and exposure to technical skills and research
expertise for graduate students.
http://path.slu.edu
(314) 577-8475
Dr. Carole Vogler
Professor and Chair
The Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science is a major
participant in the current excitement involving research in modern biomedical
science. The faculty in the department have diversified backgrounds in the fields of
biochemistry, medicine, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and
physiology. A common theme involves the physiology, pathophysiology and
pharmacology of intracellular and intercellular communication. Major areas of
specialization include: neurotransmitter biochemistry, physiology and
pharmacology; molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacology of
neurotransmitter, autocoid, neurohumoral and hormone receptors;
intracellular signaling and transduction mechanisms; electrophysiology and
ion channels; neurochemistry; cardiovascular and circulatory control
mechanisms; regulation and function of the autonomic, somatic and central
nervous systems; molecular, cellular and endocrine control mechanisms;
respiratory physiology; neuropharmacology and drugs of abuse.
http://medschool.slu.edu/pharmphys/
(314) 977-6400
Dr. Thomas Burris
Professor and Chair
EXAMPLES OF WHERE OUR RECENT GRADUATES GO
Postdoctoral Fellowships
National Institute of Environmental Health
University of Calgary
Harvard University
Washington University
Cornell University
University of Wisconsin
Johns Hopkins
Academic Faculty Positions
Saint Louis University
John Jay College, NY
University of Colorado Health Sci
University of Virginia
Industry Positions
Glaxo Smith Kline
Allergan
Organon
Patton Boggs (Law firm)
Covidien
Northwestern University
University of Colorado
Mass Inst Tech (MIT)
Rockefeller University
Med College Georgia
UCLA
University of Arizona
Texas Tech University
Washington University
Oklahoma State University
Med College of WIsconsin
Sigma Aldrich
Bristol Meyers Squibb
Merck
Monsanto
Pfizer
Core Graduate Program
in the Biomedical Sciences
Saint Louis University
School of Medicine
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. W.K. Samson
Director (314) 977-8677
samsonwk@slu.edu
Lindsay Oliver
Administrative Assistant
(314) 977-8678
oliverl@slu.edu
Information, Links to Departments and
Application Forms are available at:
http://medschool.slu.edu/gpbs