ENVR
132 / TOXC 142 / BIOC 142
BIOCHEMICAL
AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
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Spring, 2006 |
Call No. 04469, Section 001, 3 credit hours |
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0003 |
PREREQUISITES
Any combination of two courses in biochemistry,
molecular biology, cell biology, or cell physiology (or permission of course
director).
|
Ivan Rusyn (director) |
0031 |
843-2596 |
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David Holbrook |
5114B Bioinf. Bldg. |
966-4685 |
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4340 MBRB |
843-6472 |
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Edward LeCluyse |
CellzDirect, Inc. |
545-9959 |
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31-325 LCCC |
966-8209 |
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2002 |
966-6139 |
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Elaine Leslie |
2311 Kerr |
962-0089 |
COURSE PURPOSE
This course is designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in
Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Toxicology, and related disciplines.
The completion of a Human Genome Project has significant implications for
molecular biology, genetics, medicine, and environmental sciences and
toxicology. New experimental techniques that are based on a better
understanding of genes and their actions rapidly proliferate into laboratories;
thus, the students need to have a broad knowledge of metabolism, mechanisms and
effects of toxicants, as well as to understand techniques that are available
for their laboratory research. To achieve these goals, the material that is to
be covered in this course spans from basics of biochemical processes that are
affected by environmental agents, to molecular mechanisms of action, and to
current experimental approaches in environmental sciences and toxicology.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will consist of lectures, in-class discussions and periodic
examinations. The overall emphasis will be made on biochemical and molecular
actions of toxicants and assessment of cellular and molecular effects. The
students are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of biochemical
and molecular changes caused by environmental chemicals and toxicants and to be
able to critically select necessary techniques for hypothesis-driven
mechanistic research.
CLASS SCHEDULE
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1 |
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I. Rusyn |
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2 |
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D. Holbrook |
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3 |
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D. Holbrook |
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4 |
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D. Holbrook |
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5 |
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D. Holbrook |
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6 |
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D. Holbrook |
Protective systems against toxicity
II |
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7 |
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I. Rusyn |
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8 |
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I. Rusyn |
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9 |
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E. LeCluyse |
Induction of metabolism by
toxicants |
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Examination I (in
class) |
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10 |
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W. Kaufmann |
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11 |
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I. Rusyn |
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12 |
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I. Rusyn |
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13 |
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I. Rusyn |
Model systems and organisms in
toxicology |
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No Class –
Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting |
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14 |
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R. Mailman |
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No class Spring Break |
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No class Spring Break |
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15 |
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D. Threadgill |
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16 |
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I. Rusyn |
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17 |
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I. Rusyn |
Role of genetic polymorphisms in
responses to toxic agents |
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Examination II (in
class) |
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18 |
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I. Rusyn |
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19 |
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I. Rusyn |
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20 |
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I. Rusyn |
Metabolomics |
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21 |
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I. Rusyn |
Toxic effects of hydrocarbons and
alcohols |
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22 |
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I. Rusyn |
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23 |
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J. Swenberg |
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24 |
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J. Swenberg |
Molecular dosimetry
II |
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25 |
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E. Leslie |
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Examination III (in
class) |
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Final Examination (open book) due by |
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GRADES
Grades will be based on three in-class examinations and one final take home, open book examination.
Active
student participation in the course is strongly encouraged.
In-class Examinations: will test knowledge, comprehension,
application, analysis, and synthesis (see definitions from
the
Examination I - lectures 1 through 9
Examination II - lectures 10 through 17
Examination III - lectures 18 through 26
Each examination will have up to 15 questions (predominantly of a very short
essay type) and the maximum score will be 60 points, or 20% of the total course grade. The students may not use reference materials, lecture notes or other
aides during in-class examinations. Exams are not rescheduled unless a
pre-approval from a course director is granted in advance.
Knowledge: the recall of specifics and universals, involving little more than bringing to mind the appropriate material. The student recalls or recognizes information, ideas, and principles in the approximate form in which they were learned.
Comprehension: the ability to process knowledge on a low level such that the knowledge can be reproduced or communicated without verbatim repetition. The student translates, comprehends, or interprets information based on prior learning.
Application: the use of abstraction in concrete situations. The student selects, transfers, and uses data and principles to complete the problem or task with a minimum of direction.
Analysis: the breakdown of a situation into its component parts. The student distinguishes, classifieds, and relates the assumptions, hypotheses, evidence, or structure of a communication or concept.
Synthesis: the putting together of elements and parts to form a whole. The student originates, integrates, and combines ideas into a product, plan or proposal that is new to him or her.
Final Examination: will test all skills detailed above plus evaluation
ability. The materials for the final exam will be distributed in
January/February along with a list of questions. The students will be asked to
review and critique a published manuscript that describes the use of novel molecular
biology technique(s) in studies of the mechanisms of action of environmental
chemicals. The use of textbooks, lecture notes and other appropriate material
is encouraged. The maximum score for this exam is 105 points, or 35% of the
total course grade.
Evaluation: the making of judgments about the value of material/methods. The student appraises, assesses, or critiques something on the basis of specific standards and criteria.
Participation: the students are encouraged to attend all lectures and actively participate in class discussions. The maximum score for participation is 15 points, or 5% of the total course grade.
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Total Points Scored |
(%) |
Descriptor |
Final Grade |
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300 - 270 |
(100 - 90) |
Excellent |
H |
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269 - 255 |
(90 - 85) |
Very Good |
P+ |
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254 - 225 |
(85 -75) |
Good |
P |
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224 - 210 |
(75 - 70) |
Mostly Satisfactory |
P- |
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209 - 180 |
(70 - 60) |
Marginally Adequate |
L |
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Less than 180 |
(<60) |
Insufficient |
F |
The students are encouraged to review class handouts prior to each lecture by
downloading the material from the course website when available. There is no
assigned textbook. Copies of published research articles of interest will be
distributed in class when appropriate.
Two books are recommended for supplementation of classroom material:
HODGSON, E. and SMART, R.C.: Introduction to Biochemical Toxicology.
Wiley and Sons,
A comprehensive introductory text.
CASARETT AND DOULL's Toxicology: The Basic
Science of Poisons. Sixth Edition,
An in-depth treatment of toxicology, suitable as a long-term
reference for students who intend to specialize in this field.