PhD students choose to specialize in one of the following five concentrations.
The Cancer Biology and Genetics concentration includes faculty from the Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine and the Fox Chase Cancer Center, as well as the basic science and clinical departments at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
This cluster includes training in the mechanisms of transformation and tumorigenesis, signal transduction, the cell cycle, and DNA repair using novel model systems and other cutting-edge techniques. Other investigators study the genetics and epigenetics of normal and diseased states using state-of-the-art genomic and epigenomic techniques and analyses. In addition to mechanistic studies, CBGN investigators develop novel therapeutics for both the treatment and prevention of cancer and other diseases. Moreover, other CBGN members specialize in cancer prevention and control and cancer immunology.
The Cancer Biology and Genetics cluster curriculum offers two advanced courses—Cancer Biology and Genetics and Epigenetics—which build on concepts students learn in the Biomedical Sciences PhD core curriculum. Students also participate with faculty, postdoctoral fellows and invited speakers from the scientific community in a vigorous seminar program.
The educational offerings and the research opportunities within this cluster allow students to gain the knowledge and research skills to position themselves at the forefront of tomorrow’s efforts to eradicate cancer.
The Infectious Disease and Immunity concentration includes faculty from basic science and clinical departments as well as research centers. They support and train PhD students in the overlapping fields of mMicrobiology and iImmunology.
Microbiology involves the study of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses or parasites) and the pathogenesis of the diseases they cause.
Immunology studies the mechanisms that control infections in our bodies.
Our comprehensive research programs cover multiple aspects of these related fields.
For instance, investigators study basic aspects of bacterial physiology, the molecular biology of DNA and RNA viruses with a particular emphasis on viruses important in human health—such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)—and how innate recognition systems such as Toll-like receptors within the immune system function during host defense.
Other investigators are examining specific aspects of the immune system. These include focusing on unique sites of infections such as the skin or the lungs, immune system dysfunction, and how immune system functions are modulated by interactions with drugs of abuse such as opioids, methamphetamine, and cannabinoids.
The Infectious Disease and Immunity cluster curriculum offers students advanced course work in such topics as immunology, virology, and mechanisms of host-microbe interactions. Students participate in a cluster seminar series and various research-focused journal clubs.
The goal of the cluster is to develop a broad knowledge of infectious disease and immunity that is complemented with the most current research findings in the field.
The Molecular and Cellular Biosciences cluster offers opportunities for PhD students to become skilled and creative research scientists prepared for independent research.
The Molecular and Cellular Biosciences cluster training combines basic molecular and cellular studies within a strong translational research emphasis.
In addition to the core curriculum, students may take several cluster-based elective courses including Enzymes and Proteins, RNA and Gene Expression; Molecular Physiology of Ion Signaling; and Biophysical Approaches to Research. Students are also expected to participate in the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences student seminar and journal clubs, which include topics like calcium signaling, caveolae and the musculoskeletal system.
Students can select thesis advisors from more than 20 research laboratories. Research areas of the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences faculty include cell signaling, growth and differentiation, cellular and molecular pharmacology, stem cells and regeneration, developmental biology, structural biology, membrane biophysics, metabolism, regulation of gene expression, and protein structure and function.
This training allows students in the molecular and cellular area to gain specialized knowledge and develop skills in cutting-edge molecular, cellular, biochemical, and biophysical technologies. This will provide a crucial foundation for undertaking fundamental and translational investigation within the entire spectrum of biomedical research.
The Neuroscience concentration provides thematic courses, research opportunities and educational activities related to neuroscience.
This broad field encompasses the mechanisms involved in central and peripheral nervous system development, neuronal function, injury and repair. These mechanisms contribute to memory, emotion, sensory (including pain), motor and cognitive functions.
The Neuroscience concentration offers exposure to several areas of basic neuroscience research and education. Our goal is to train investigators to translate basic research advances into treatments for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
The breadth and depth of our faculty members’ experience encourages an interdisciplinary approach that prepares graduate students with an understanding of neurodegenerative disease processes and neural injury and promotes the development of effective therapeutics and modalities for repair.
The curriculum includes a weekly student seminar, research-focused journal clubs and a series of cluster-based electives that provide a strong foundation in basic neuroscience, neuropharmacology, and translational neuroscience research.
Our goal is to prepare a new cadre of scientists and physicians with interdisciplinary neuroscience training and to support trainees' contributions to the development of effective treatments for neurological disorders.
By focusing on the interface between biology and medicine, the Organ Systems and Translational Medicine concentration promotes collaborations between clinical and basic scientists and offers an interdisciplinary training environment for students interested in translational biology.
Research programs include cardiovascular disease, vascular biology, molecular pharmacology, metabolic disorders, stem cell biology, and lung and skeletal muscle function and dysfunction.
Our faculty span a variety of basic science departments, including anatomy and cell biology, pharmacology and physiology, research centers (Cardiovascular Research; Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research; Thrombosis Research) and clinical departments.
Students receive interdisciplinary training both in the laboratory and classroom. The Organ Systems and Translational Medicine curriculum integrates a basic medical understanding of anatomy, histology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology into current molecular approaches to translational research.
Advanced courses on organ physiology and pathophysiology, translational medicine, hemostasis, and thrombosis are complemented with research-focused journal clubs and a student seminar series that bridge the basic and clinical sciences.