 Research in Basic Medical Sciences
The research mission of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences is to make preeminent contributions in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying the onset, progression and dissemination of disease. A significant proportion of our faculty is engaged in a number of interdisciplinary and translational research programs that include:
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basic understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative aging disorders,
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genetic mechanisms of cell death in the hippocampus,
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involvement of cannabinoid and other neurotransmitters in neural circuits of feeding and emetic disorders,
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behavioral integration of hypnogenic mechanisms and functional pathology,
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molecular pathogenesis of tuberculosis,
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molecular biology and evolution of the protein translation apparatus, and
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molecular biology of cancer-associated genes.
The BMS faculty members are internationally recognized investigators who share a progressive teamwork vision of research collaboration and scientific synergy and utilize state-of-the-art concepts and experimental approaches. Moreover, the department is committed to providing a collegial environment with full opportunities for postdoctoral fellows, junior and senior faculty to solve challenging biological problems and support the career development of the next generation of scientists, physician investigators and educators. BMS research laboratories welcome students from WUHS and other educational institutions. All research-active faculty members have independent laboratories and share animal facilities and a core research facility which houses modern equipment such as a confocal microscope, flow cytometer, phosphorimaging system, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, freezers, cold room and cell culture rooms. With a rapidly growing research program, BMS laboratories and facilities will be relocating to a new, 50,000-square-foot research space, planned to open on campus in 2009. Following the lead of other WUHS departments that offer MS degrees in various disciplines, our immediate goal is to establish a Masters degree program in Basic Medical Sciences by July 2008 and a PhD program within 5 years. |
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