Biology of Blood Diseases (Biology 426)
SSII 2012
Instructor: Chantelle Rein-Smith, Ph.D. – crein@email.unc.edu
Course Meeting Times: M,T,W,Th, F 9:45-11:15 am
Office Hours: Open
Textbook: “Essential Haematology”, 6th Edition, Hoffbrand and
Moss
This course focuses on the molecular mechanisms associated with normal
and pathogenic functions of blood, blood cells and bone marrow. We will
examine multiple areas of hematology and oncology including anemias,
cancer, blood coagulation disorders, atherosclerosis and HIV/AIDS. We will
begin each unit by focusing on the origins of blood cells and “normal”
biological processes of blood/bone marrow, and then transition to diseases
and pathologies associated with each blood cell type. We will utilize in-class
lectures, case studies, “journal clubs” and poster presentations to achieve the
overall course goal of understanding the biological basis of hematological
disease.
Journal Club Presentations: Each Friday the second half of class will be
devoted to a “journal club” presentation. Each small group will select a
current journal article (published within the last 5 years in a peer reviewed
journal and approved by the instructor) on one of the class topics. Two
groups will present their articles in a 15-minute “journal club” format each
designated class. All others should come prepared with questions about the
paper.
Poster Presentations: Each student should prepare a poster on a disease of
their choice. Posters will be presented on the last two days of class and will
be judged by graduate students, postdocs and faculty.
Clinical Exercises: A weekly clinical exercise will be handed out as a take
home assignment. You may work together to complete the assignments. NO
late assignments will be accepted.
Grading: The in-class Midterm Exam will be worth 35% of your grade and
the Final Exam will also be worth 35% of your grade. The final exam is not
cumulative: the Midterm Exam will cover the units on RBCs and WBCs,
and the Final Exam will cover the units on Hemostasis/Thrombosis and
HIV/AIDS. Journal Club presentations, Clinical Exercises and Posters will
each be worth 10% of your grade.
Final Grades: The average class grade will be determined and this grade will
constitute a final grade of “B”. Standard deviations will be used to determine
grades above and below the average.
Honor Code: The Honor Code of the University will be observed.
Course Calendar (also posted on the course Sakai website)
Week
1 (6/21-6/22)
2 (6/25-6/29)
3 (7/2-7/6)
Topics
Intro, hematopoesis, red
blood cells
RBC pathologies, white
blood cells,
complement,
inflammation
WBC disorders,
leukemias, lymphomas,
4 (7/9-7/13)
HIV/AIDS, Hemostasis
5 (7/16-7/20)
Hemostasis,
hemophilias,
thrombophilias,
atherosclerosis
Review and anything
we didn’t get to
6 (7/23-7/27)
Important Dates
Friday, June 29thJournal Club
Wednesday, July 4thNO CLASS
Friday, July 6th- Journal
Club and REVIEW
SESSION
Monday, July 9thMIDTERM
Friday July 13thJournal Club
Friday, July 20thJournal Club
Tuesday, July 24thPoster Session
Thursday, July 26thFINAL EXAM