This course (2 credit hours) is designed to introduce first-year IGP students to some of the major areas of interest in the fields of obesity and diabetes research. In the first part of the course the lecturers will discuss the characteristics of diabetes and obesity in terms of whole-body metabolism. The use of mouse models, a major tool to study metabolism, will be emphasized. The second part of the course will focus on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas: how they develop, how insulin secretion is regulated, and how insulin gene transcription is controlled. The third part of the course will focus on the mechanism of insulin action at the molecular level. The final part of the course will focus on the regulation of lipid metabolism and the latest theories on the molecular causes of insulin resistance and obesity. The NIH-funded Molecular Endocrinology Training Program (METP) provides support for eight IGP students in the second and third years of their graduate studies. The METP strongly encourages students who wish to be considered for METP funding take this Spring Elective.
Students taking MPB 333:
Here you will find the Powerpoint presentation files for the class lectures and the links to the research papers that will be discussed in the flex-time sessions. Please be sure to contact Dr. O'Brien, the course director, or the specific lecturer or flex-time leader, for any questions or concerns.
All lectures & flex-times are in room 736 Robinson Research Building from 1:00-3:00 PM.
Lecture notes and flextime papers