Basic Biomedical Sciences

B 0105 - Metabolic Analyses by GC-MS

3-6 Credits

The student will participate in the separation and identification of intermediary metabolites or cell membrane lipids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The instrument to be used is one of the most advanced analytical devices available today: the VG Trio-2 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer Computer. The student will learn the type of techniques now used to prove, for example, that an athlete has used illicit steroids, a criminal has trafficked in controlled substances, or a newborn infant has a genetic metabolic defect. Specifically, the student will assist in the collection and preparation of clinical or research samples and synthesize appropriate standards relevant to our studies in nutritional assessment and genetic screening.

B 0303 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Extramural Career Exploration

1-12 Credits

B 0413 - Advanced Topics in Biomedical Research

1 Credit

Students will read recent biomedical research literature. Students will summarize and communicate biomedical information in a clear, coherent written form for a lay audience.

B 0903 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research

1-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course may be used to register for an Biochemistry elective. The elective experience must fulfill the requirements for a research elective. The location of the experience may be at a SLU SOM affiliate or at another health care institution.

BBS 5010 - Basic Biomedical Science I

5 Credits

This intensive, multi-disciplinary lecture course is taught by faculty from all five biomedical research programs of the medical school, that grant PhD degrees. The lecture topics include macromolecular structure, shape and information; DNA, RNA and protein synthesis; genetics and control of gene expression; membranes and intracellular organelles; and pathways and control of car bohydrate metabolism. Offered every fall semester.

BBS 5020 - Special Topics in Basic Biomedical Sciences I

4 Credits

An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical graduate students. Course involves participation in small group laboratory exercises involving problem solving and critical analysis of the current scientific literature, with a particular focus on the current, state-of-the-art techniques in cellular and molecular biology. The special topics are selected to coordinate with the lecture topics in the co-requisite. Offered every fall semester.

BBS 5030 - Basic Biomedical Science II

5 Credits

An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical graduate students. A continuation of BBS-5010, the course topics include bioenergetics; control of nitrogen metabolism; the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and cell junctions; cell signaling and drug action; cell cycle, cancer, and development; integrated biology and the immune system. (Offered every Spring)

Corequisite(s): BBS 5040

BBS 5040 - Special Topics in Basic Biomedical Sciences II

4 Credits

An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical students. Course involves participation in small group exercises involving problem solving and critical analysis of current scientific literature in selected special topics, as related to the lecture topics in the co-requisite. Offered every spring semester.

Corequisite(s): BBS 5030

BBS 5100 - Ethics for Research Scientists

0 Credits

Course covers a variety of topics relevant to the ethical aspects of conducting and reporting scientific investigations including general ethical principles, use of animals and human subjects in research, authorship, mentorship, conflicts of interest, and scientific misconduct. Offered every spring semester.

BBS 5920 - Basic Biomedical Sciences Colloquium

1-2 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Students are introduced to the techniques of critical data analysis and formal scientific presentation through weekly colloquia. Second-year students from the various biomedical science departments present in the Fall semester, first-year students present in the spring semester. Emphasis is placed on styles of presentation and techniques for effective communication. In the Spring semester, each student critically reviews and presents a topic from the current scientific literature at one of the weekly colloquia. All students are required to attend both the scientific presentation and a 10-15 minute discussion session that follows. (Offered every Fall and Spring)

BBS 5970 - Research Topics in Biomedical Sciences

1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Each semester is divided into two six to seven-week rotations in different research laboratories. Students are introduced to research problems currently under investigation and to advance techniques employed in those studies. The first rotation involves introductory activities distributed between the six graduate biomedical science programs of the medical school. Offered every fall and spring semester.

MMI 0903 - Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Research

1-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

PA 0106 - Introduction to Forensic Pathology

3-6 Credits

This elective is designed for first and second year medical students who wish to explore the world of forensic pathology. Emphasis will be placed on the performance and interpretation of forensic autopsies, toxicology, forensic anthropology, and death investigation. This elective will provide the student with an introduction to the practice of forensic pathology, an opportunity to view autopsies and visit the medical examiner's facility, and to interact with several forensic scientists.

PA 0109 - HCV -Hepatitis C Vaccine

3-6 Credits

HCV mediated pathogenesis Mechanism of MBP-1 (a killer gene) mediated prostate cell growth arrest Role of bitter melon in cancer growth, micro RNA, Cancer stem like cells.

PA 0302 - Pathology Career Exploration

1-2 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course may be used to register for Pathology career exploration The location of the experience may be at a SLU SOM affiliate or at another health care institution.

PA 0401 - Anatomic Pathology

2-12 Credits

The clerkship is tailored to the student’s particular interests and goals. The student may choose to concentrate on the surgical pathology service where he/she gains first-hand experience in the gross and microscopic interpretation of surgical biopsies and resections. The significance of pathologic diagnosis in patient management and the importance of clinician–pathologist collaboration are emphasized. Alternatively, the student may choose to concentrate on autopsy pathology and develop the clinicopathologic correlative skills that form the basis of that service. During the elective, students will attend divisional conferences and may present cases in these conferences.

PA 0402 - Pediatric Pathology

2-12 Credits

Light and electron microscopy will be used to study common and uncommon diseases in children. Students will assist in the gross and microscopic examination of surgical specimens and post-mortem examinations. Special study of congenital heart disease, muscle, pulmonary, or renal pathology can also be accomplished during the course if desired.

PA 0404 - Cytopathology Clerkship

2-12 Credits

The clerkship is designed to introduce the student to the anatomic pathology subspecialty of Cytopathology. Cytopathology involves the examination of cellular elements collected by various means. The student will learn about specimen collection, processing, and microscopic diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the direct procurement of cells from a mass by needle aspiration. The student will be able to assist the pathologist in procuring percutaneous FNAB (i.e., breast, thyroid, etc.) and participate in on-site evaluation of deep-seated radiologically guided aspirates. As time permits, students may participate in other patient care activities in the division of Anatomic Pathology.

PA 0406 - Forensic Pathology

2-12 Credits

Students are assigned to the St. Louis City Medical Examiner's Office where they have the opportunity to observe medicolegal examination of victims of sudden unexpected death or violence, and accompany staff to court to observe legal proceedings. Students are able to attend the Medicolegal Death Investigation Course (week-long didactic course) if the rotation overlays the scheduled course sessions (course offered 3 times per/year).

PA 0408 - Hematopathology and Laboratory Hematology

2-12 Credits

Introduction diagnostic hematopathology, to include flow cytometry and bone marrow and lymph node morphologic evaluation. Review of peripheral blood smears and body fluid specimens as clinically indicated.

PA 0409 - Gastrointestinal / Hepatic Pathology

2-12 Credits

Students will obtain hands-on experience in surgical pathology of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Specimens include resections and biopsies of GI tract and liver. During the rotation, students will participate in microscopic examination of GI tract and liver specimens, participate in intraoperative consultations, assist residents in gross examination, and attend department clinical and didactic conferences. As time permits, students may participate in other patient care activities in the division of Anatomic Pathology.

PA 0410 - Human Histology

1-4 Credits

Histology is a foundational skill for a pathologist. This course is designed for fourth year medical students needing a solid review of histology or who have not previously taken a course in the subject. This 2-week non-patient care elective utilizes an online histology lecture course (https://www.lecturio.com/medical-courses/histology.course) which is broken down into two main sections: Basic Tissue Types and Organ Systems. A $49.99 fee is required to access the website material for one month, students must cover this themselves.

PA 0412 - Introduction to Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine

2-12 Credits

This course is designed to provide students with experiences in the practice of laboratory medicine (aka clinical pathology) and transfusion medicine. The primary goal of this rotation is to provide the student with an inside look into how the clinical laboratories and blood bank operate to support and facilitate patient care. Discussions will focus on clinical lab test methodologies, ordering, interpretation, and utilization. Students will learn about each section of the clinical core laboratory (i.e. chemistry/immunology, hematology, hemostasis, and point of care testing) and about all aspects of transfusion medicine service, including blood product compatibility, therapeutic apheresis, and patient blood.

PA 0901 - Pathology Direct Patient Care

1-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course may be used to register for a Pathology elective. The elective experience must fulfill the requirements for a reading elective. The location of the experience may be at a SLU SOM affiliate or at another health care institution.

PA 0903 - Pathology Research

1-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course may be used to register for a Pathology elective. The elective experience must fulfill the requirements for a reading elective. The location of the experience may be at a SLU SOM affiliate or at another health care institution.

PH 0408 - Microsurgery

2-12 Credits

This is an elective for highly motivated students who wish to improve their manual dexterity by practicing microsurgery using a dissecting microscope. Students will learn procedures for suturing tissues using excised blood vessels. Arteries will be transected then sutured (repaired). Students may also create vascular anastomosis. This is an independent exercise that will help students identify and improve microsurgical skills.

PH 0409 - Cardiovascular Effects of Cocaine and Behavioral Stress

2-12 Credits

Studies will be undertaken to describe the cardiovascular effects of cocaine and of behavioral stress. We have noted that rats do not respond similarly such that some are more prone to adverse cardiovascular outcomes with cocaine or stress. We will study regional hemodynamics, sympathetic nerve responses and cardiac function in rats. The CNS pathways and neurotransmitters responsible for response variability will be examined. The student will conduct experiments on rats, analyze data and prepare a summary of the findings.

PH 0410 - Role of Afferent Nerves in Cardiovascular Disease

2-12 Credits

Studies will be undertaken to describe the effects of selective renal deafferentation on the development of cardiovascular disease. Renal denervation in humans ameliorates hypertension, heart failure and renal failure by unknown mechanisms. We will examine whether renal afferent nerves are responsible for these positive results in rat models. We will study experimental models of hypertension and heart failure and we will use electrophysiological techniques to identify how renal afferent nerves play a role in elevating sympathetic activity. Students will assist in performing experiments, analyze data and prepare a summary of the findings.

PH 0903 - Pharmacological and Physiological Science Research

1-12 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course may be used to register for a Pharmacology elective. The elective experience must fulfill the requirements for a research elective. The location of the experience may be at a SLUSOM affiliate or at another health care institution.