MEDS 413 – Introduction to Cancer Biology
Fridays 3:00-5:00 PM, Center for Molecular Medicine Conference Room (EM030)
Introduction to Cancer Biology will provide an in-depth coverage of several major areas in the field of
cancer. The course will combine lectures with group discussion of important questions on the various
topics. The questions for discussion will be selected by the students and discussed as a group during
the second meeting of each section. The students will be divided into groups and will work to identify
key research questions and provide the relevant background describing why the question is important.
We are developing a class blog to provide a means for the student groups to work together online. In
addition, students will be assigned readings from “Biology of Cancer” by Robert Weinberg. The book
can be ordered through the UConn Co-op or purchased independently. Students are expected to
attend all sessions and be fully prepared to discuss reading assignments. One News and Views style
review article on the topic of their choice will be due near the end of the semester. The course is
intended for all graduate students in any of the Biomedical Sciences programs.
Course Directors:
Christopher D. Heinen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Molecular
Medicine, Room E1032
X8859; Email: cheinen@uchc.edu
Daniel W. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Molecular Medicine
Room E1053
X8704; Email: rosenberg@nso2.uchc.edu
I. Jan 18 & Jan 25
Course Intro
Cancer 101 & Chemical Carcinogenesis
Daniel Rosenberg, Ph.D. x8704
VIII. Apr 26 & May 3
Angiogenesis & Metastasis
Kevin Claffey, Ph.D. x8713
II. Feb 1 & Feb 8
DNA Repair, Genomic Instability & Tumorigenesis
Chris Heinen, Ph.D. x8859
VII. May 10 & May 17
Cancer Biology & Pathology
Bruce Brenner, M.D. x6052
III. Feb 15 & Feb 22
Cancer Signaling I – Tumor suppressors
Daniel Rosenberg, Ph.D. x8704
IV. Mar 1 & Mar 8
Cancer Signaling II – Oncogene activation
Bruce Mayer, Ph.D. x1836
V. Mar 15 & Mar 22
Cancer Immunology
Pramod Srivastava, M.D., Ph.D. x4444
VI. Mar 29 & Apr 5
Cancer Stem Cells
Molly Brewer, D.V.M., M.D., M.S x1731
VII. Apr 12 & Apr 19
Cancer Epidemiology
Richard Stevens, Ph.D. x5475
Students can meet with faculty before/after class, via appointment or E-mail.