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LIFE SCIENCES - SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE
www.biomed.miami.edu
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHARMACOLOGY - Dept. Code: MCP
www.biomed.miami.edu/pharm
Scientists in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program
make use of the knowledge and techniques of biology, chemistry
and physics to study the action of drugs, hormones and neurotransmitters
on living systems and, more generally, the mechanisms through
which signals are recognized and transduced by cells. The
goals of the research in this department are: 1) to identify
new targets and pathways for development of pharmaceuticals;
2) to use drugs as tools in the study of basic biological
processes; and 3) to develop and study agents that may be
beneficial in the treatment of disease.
A variety of technical approaches is used, including genetics,
molecular biology, protein biochemistry and biophysics, fluorescence
microscopy, immunology, computer modeling, cell culture, imaging,
gene expression profiling, proteomics and whole animal studies
including transgenic and genetically engineered mouse models.
The faculty are a mixture of senior scientists who are recognized
leaders in their respective fields and more junior faculty
with recent training in state-of-the-art approaches to important
biomedical problems.
The Department’s more than 40 graduate students and
postdoctoral fellows contribute to the creative and stimulating
scientific atmosphere.
Research interests of the faculty include:
Cardiovascular Pharmacology/Development/Muscle Contraction:
Investigators in this area study transcriptional regulation
of gene expression and intracellular signals associated with
the growth and function of the heart, heart valves, cardiac
muscle contraction and the effect of disease causing mutations
on heart function. They also study ion channels, membrane
events, blood vessels, etc.
Current research areas includes, for example, structure/function
relationships in the proteins of the thin (troponin complex)
and thick (myosin) filaments, the role of specific ion channels
in ventricular hypertrophy and its alleviation, excitation-contraction
coupling in skeletal and cardiac muscle, proto-oncogene regulation
of cardiac-specific genes, signaling in cardiac myocytes including
the characterization of multimolecular enzyme complexes, the
molecular mechanisms of heart valve development and disease,
apoptosis during myocardial ischemia, and the potential of
stem cell based therapy for cardiac disease. A new study has
been launched to investigate the effect of bone marrow stem
cells in cardiac repair. Research in this area is supported
by a National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Cardiovascular
Pharmacology Training Grant. The students will have the opportunity
to receive training in specific cardiovascular techniques
utilized in the Program as well as attend cardiovascular journal
club to learn about new findings in the cardiovascular field.
Neuropharmacology/Neuroscience:
Investigators in this area study the development, function,
pharmacology, and diseases of the nervous system.
Current research interests include neuronal signaling through
G-proteins, Ca2+, and cyclic nucleotides, growth and guidance
of axons during development and regeneration after injury,
molecular control of dendrite development, control of physiological
functions by the nervous system; molecular mechanisms and
cell biology of olfaction and phototransduction; the genetic
and cellular basis of neural development and degeneration
using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system.
Cell Biology/Cancer:
Investigators in this area study cell cycle control and
cancer, gene expression, mechanisms of hormone action, signal
transduction, cytoskeleton, membrane transport, stem cells,
and novel therapeutics.
Current research interests include steroid hormone regulation
of gene expression and cell proliferation; cell cycle checkpoints
during DNA replication; protein trafficking including endocytosis
and exocytosis; control of cell polarity and morphogenesis;
cilia in pulmonary function; molecular basis of human lymphoma;
endocrine-related cancers including prostate and breast; stem
cell maintenance and therapy; stem cell differentiation in
hematopoesis and physiochemical and metabolic aspects of drug
design.
Model Systems:
Many investigators are using model organisms for their studies.
These include transgenic and knock-out/knock-in mouse models
Xenopus, Drosophila and yeast models. Yeast and Drosophila
are important models because of the powerful molecular and
genetic approaches and tools available. Xenopus provides a
unique system for studying development and for protein expression
and analysis. These systems are being used to study fundamental
processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle, signal transduction,
membrane dynamics, cytoskeleton, cell polarity, olfaction,
development of the cardiovascular system, neurogenesis and
neuronal degeneration. All of these processes are conserved
in humans, so these systems serve as important models for
human diseases. Investigators are also using these systems
to screen for therapeutic agents and to identify targets of
toxins and other natural, synthetic or pharmacologically relevant
compounds.
Training Program:
In the first year, students receive a solid foundation in
biomedical science. The core coursework ranges from molecules
to cells to systems of human physiology. Lectures are balanced
by breakout sessions, in which faculty members discuss the
primary literature with students in small groups. The core
curriculum also offers critical learning opportunities in
biostatistics and in using genomic and other databases, as
well as education in ethics. Students also meet several times
in small groups with experienced faculty mentors to discuss
important issues of student development. In subsequent semesters,
students take core courses encompassing mechanisms of drug
action, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology and
intracellular signal transduction. A variety of elective courses
are offered by this department and others.
Students begin their dissertation research at the end of
the first year and complete their course requirements in the
second year. In subsequent years, students devote their efforts
to original thesis research. The department sponsors the visits
of internationally-known scientists, who discuss their research
in formal seminars and meet with students and faculty. Weekly
intradepartmental seminars keep students abreast of new developments
within the School of Medicine.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All students are admitted through the Program in Biomedical
Sciences (PIBS) for the PhD programs in Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Human Genetics & Genomics,
Microbiology & Immunology, Molecular Cell & Developmental
Biology, Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Neuroscience,
and Physiology & Biophysics. The PIBS Admissions Committee
will review and make decisions on applications after December
15th.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a biological
or related discipline (e.g., psychology, chemistry, engineering,
physics). Although there are no absolute prerequisites, courses
in general biology, cell/molecular biology, calculus, general
physics, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry
are encouraged.
Strong candidates will have research experience in a laboratory
setting (including publications of abstracts and/or papers),
an excellent academic record and GRE scores, excellent letters
of recommendation from scientists who know the candidate well,
and the motivation to pursue state-of-the-art biomedical research.
The first year is also focused on choosing a program and
a dissertation mentor. All students are initially mentored
by a senior student and a faculty member to facilitate this
process. In the 1st year, students rotate through at least
3 laboratories chosen from any of the biomedical sciences
graduate faculty. At the end of the 1st year students choose
mentors and formally enter individual graduate programs.
• Students should apply online at: www.biomed.miami.edu
For information concerning the Pharmacology Program, contact
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
University of Miami School of Medicine
P.O. Box 016189 R-189
Miami, Florida 33101
Phone: (305) 243-3419
Fax: (305) 243-3420
E-mail: mcp@med.miami.edu
www.biomed.miami.edu/pharm
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE IN MOLECULAR
AND CELLULAR PHARMACOLOGY
These consist of 36 credit hours of graduate courses and
seminars and 24 credits of Thesis Research. Students are required
to pass a qualifying examination at the completion of their
second year before undertaking Thesis Research at an intensive
level.
The recruitment and training of applicants from underrepresented
minority groups is an important goal of the Program.
Pharmacology Students supported by the National Institutes
of Health training program must be United States citizens
or permanent residents.
Other sources of support may be available on a limited basis
for foreign applicants.
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