Master of Science [M.S] [Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry] From Loyola University

The program can be designed to meet specific individual needs. The focus of the Master's Program is to provide an in-depth experience in molecular and cellular biochemistry which develops the student's critical thinking and problem solving abilities. This flexible program can be designed to meet individual students' needs.

Research is being conducted in the following areas:

• molecular biology

Regulation of gene expression by transcription factors, protein co-factors, and by chemical modification of histone proteins; transcriptional activation by steroid hormones; chromatin structure of active genes; molecular basis of alcohol effects on hormone gene regulation.

• molecular neurobiology/neurochemistry and neurotoxicity

Brain neurodegeneration and/or neuroprotection mechanisms during parkinsonism and other neurodegenerative diseases; therapeutic and neuroprotective mechanisms to prevent the damaging effects of alcohol on the developing brain; effects of maternal alcohol consumption on development of the serotonergic system; effects of alcohol on hypothalamic and pituitary gene transcription; molecular mechanisms of neuronal calcium channel function in normal and pathological conditions.

• cellular biology, cancer biology, and metabolic biochemistry

Metabolism of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, role of aminopeptidase P in blood pressure control/cardioprotective mechanisms and development of drug-like inhibitors of this enzyme; mechanisms involved with the control of expression of genes required for the malignant properties of tumor cell by activated oncogenes; role of tumor suppressor in the regulation of the cell cycle; pathways of cellular apoptosis; signal transduction pathways in cancer cells; mechanisms by which the regulation of lysosomal protease synthesis and trafficking in tumor cells might facilitate tumor cell metabolism; structure/function characterization of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor family; heat shock and chaperone proteins in regulation of apoptosis; angiogenesis in wound healing; effects of steroid hormones on sexual differentiation of the brain; cytokine signaling - T helper cell differentiation; biochemistry of oxygen radical reactions; effects of gender, aging and alcohol exposure on inflammation and cell mediated immunity