6.6	Biochemistry and Medical Genetics

Head: Dr. L. Simard
General Office: 336 Basic Medical Sciences Building, 730 William Avenue
Telephone: (204) 789 3593
Fax: (204) 789 3900
Email: bmg@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/medicine/biochem/
Graduate Program Assistant: Ms. T. Sarkar

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics is the result of a merger of the Department of Human Genetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in June 1999.

Fields of Research
Faculty members are involved in a wide range of research projects in biochemistry and genetics. Supervised research is available in the following areas: apoptosis; lipoproteins and lipidoses; chromatin structure and function; membranes; clinical genetics; metabolic disease; dysmorphology; molecular cytogenetics; functional genomics; molecular basis of cancer and genetic diseases; gene expression; molecular genetics; gene mapping and recombinant DNA; phospholipid metabolism; genetic and molecular epidemiology; protein structure, function, and targeting; genetics of special populations; signal transduction; hormone and growth factor action / receptors; and spectroscopy in biodiagnostics.

These areas of study are related specifically to certain diseases including atherosclerosis, androgen resistance syndrome, heart failure, cancer, muscular dystrophy, inborn errors of metabolism, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis and congenital malformations.

Research Facilities
Faculty members of the department are housed in several locations on the Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses, and in affiliated research institutes. The department is well equipped for studies in both biochemistry and genetics. State of the art computer, transgenic, imaging, and cytogenetic analysis facilities are available in the department or its affiliated centres.

M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Entrance Requirements
The applicant must have an Honours B.Sc. or equivalent with appropriate background, a GPA of 3.0 or better, (or equivalent) in the last two years of full time university study (60 credit hours) and no grade less than C+ in any course taken during these final two years of study. Retaking a course or fulfilling the necessary requirements in a pre-Master’s Program may correct any deficiency. Admission will also depend upon the availability of a Faculty Member to supervise the student and resources to support the student's research.

Extensive undergraduate preparation in biochemistry and/or genetics is desired, but students from other disciplines will be considered. CHEM2360, CHEM2370 and BGEN3020 OR the consent of the instructor are prerequisites for the courses listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements
Program Requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Second language reading requirement: none

Expected time to graduate: 2 – 3 years

Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Program Requirements
Program requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Second language requirement: none

Expected time to graduation: 4 – 5 years

Course Descriptions

All courses listed are NOT offered each year and a minimum enrolment is required for some courses to be offered.

IMED 7090 (165.709) Cell Biology Cr.Hrs.6 Comprehensive introduction to the structure and function of cells. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

IMED 7180 (165.718) Molecular Approaches in Medical Research Cr.Hrs.3 For students who wish to understand advances made in medicine/biology through molecular and developmental approaches. Topics for discussion will be selected from the recent literature in consultation with participating students. The course will consist of lectures and discussions as well as written and oral presentation of papers by the students. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

IMED 7200 (165.720) Cancer Biology Cr.Hrs.3. One hour per week on the basic (cellular and molecular) and clinical (diagnostic and treatment) aspects of cancer. Students will give one seminar and submit an essay on an assigned topic. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

IMED 7240 (165.724) Nucleic Acids: Manipulation, Structure and Function Cr.Hrs.3 DNA technology; nucleic acid metabolism, including DNA replication, DNA repair, transcription, and RNA processing; gene/chromosome structure and rearrangement; mutation detection; gene therapy; positional cloning.

IMED 7290 (165.729) Developmental Biology Cr.Hrs.3 Emphasizes current principles of organ system development and its application to transgenic approaches to gene function in the context of a whole, developing organism. Prerequisites: IMED 7090 (165.709) or ZOOL 2150 (022.215) and/or ZOOL 3070 (022.307) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 3020 (137.302) Introduction to Human Genetics Cr.Hrs.6 Principles necessary to understand and study genetically influenced malformations, diseases and variation in individuals and in populations. Two terms. Lectures, tutorials and assignments. Not to be held with the 080.301 or 125.301.

BGEN 4010 (137.401) Project Course in Human Genetics Cr.Hrs.6 A research project chosen in consultation with and supervised by a faculty member. A written report is required. The course is available primarily to final year Honours students in the Honours Genetics program. Selection of project and supervision to be arranged prior to September 30 and submitted in writing to department head. Deadline for submission of first draft to supervisor is March 1st. Deadline for submission of final draft to supervisor and course coordinator is March 31.

BGEN 7020 (137.702) Proteins Cr.Hrs.3 Three hours per week, one term. Purification, bioinformatics, characterization, expression, structure, folding and engineering of proteins.

BGEN 7030 (137.703) Enzymology Cr.Hrs.3 Two hours per week, one term. Kinetics and mechanisms of action of enzymes.

BGEN 7040 (137.704) Seminars in Human Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 Current research topics in human genetics. A term paper and oral presentation will be required of each student.

BGEN 7070 (137.707) Special Topics in Human Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 An assignment, tutorial and discussions course taken only through consultation with the head of the department. The topics will vary depending upon students' needs and interests, and may include specialized topics not available in regular course offerings.

BGEN 7090 (137.709) Principles and Practice of Human Genetics Cr.Hrs.3. Lectures, tutorials and assignments designed to review major topics in human genetics and give practical experience in the analysis and interpretation of human genetics data and critical review of published work.

BGEN 7120 (137.712) Laboratory Methods in Human and Medical Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 A seminar and assignment course covering an outline of the methods currently in use in human and medical genetic diagnostic and research laboratories. The principles of cell culture, cytogenetic, molecular and biochemical genetic techniques that are used in the diagnosis of human genetic disease and the study of human variation will be reviewed. Students will undertake a practical assignment and write a report. Prerequisite: BGEN 7090 (137.709) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 7130 (137.713) Genetic Epidemiology of Human Populations Cr.Hrs.3 Lectures, tutorials and assignments to evaluate the etiology, distribution and control of disease in groups of relatives and inherited causes of disease in population. Prerequisite: BGEN 7090 (137.709) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 7140 (137.714) Clinical Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 Focus is on clinical application and principles of single gene, multifactorial and teratogenic causes of disease. Students will learn by use of reading assignments, tutorials, computer-assisted diagnostic tools and first hand experience in genetics clinics. Major term paper required. One term. Prerequisite: BGEN 7090 (137.709) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 7160 (137.716) Theory and Practice of Genetic Counselling Cr.Hrs.3 Review of general theoretical and practical aspects of genetic counselling. Students will be instructed in interviewing techniques. Case presentations will be reviewed and opportunities to observe and partake in genetic counselling will be provided. Term paper. Prerequisite: BGEN 7090 (137.709) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 7180 (137.718) Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Cr.Hrs.3 Cytogenetic methodology; chromosome architecture; karyotype interpretation; indications for referral; chromosome syndromes and anomalies; prenatal diagnosis; chromosomal basis of oncogenesis; flow cytometry; immunogenetics; fluorescent in situ hybridization; the application of molecular technology to chromosome analysis. Prerequisite: BGEN 7090 (137.709) or consent of instructor.

BGEN 7200 (137.720) Topics in Biochemistry 1 Cr.Hrs.3 Advanced study and reading on two topics chosen by the course director in consultation with the student's supervisor. Topics include but are not limited to Neurochemistry, Lipids, Carbohydrates, Biomembranes, Inborn Errors, and Cystoskeleton Proteins.

BGEN 7210 (137.721) Topics in Biochemistry 2 Cr.Hrs.3 Advanced study and reading on two topics chosen by the course director in consultation with the student's supervisor. Topics include but are not limited to Neurochemistry, Lipids, Carbohydrates, Biomembranes, Inborn Errors, Cystoskeleton Proteins.

BGEN 7220 (137.722) Research Seminar Cr.Hrs.1 Course evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Consists of presentations of the student's current research.

BGEN 7250 (137.725) Gene Expression Cr.Hrs.3 Three hours per week, one term. Chromatin structure. Structure and function of sequence-specified DNA-binding proteins. Control of transcription.

BGEN 7260 (137.726) Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry Cr.Hrs.3 Three hours per week, one term. Recent research advances on the study of cellular components, assembly and organization of plasma membrane components, cell signalling, and cell cycle.