7.

546[J] Science and Business of Biotechnology

Same subject as 15.480[J], 20.586[J]

Prereq: None. Coreq: 15.401; permission of instructor
G (Spring)
3-0-6 units

See description under subject 15.480[J].

A. Lo, H. Lodish

7.548[J] Advances in Biomanufacturing

Same subject as 10.53[J]

Subject meets with 7.458[J], 10.03[J]
Prereq: None
G (Spring; second half of term)
1-0-2 units

Seminar examines how biopharmaceuticals, an increasingly important class of pharmaceuticals, are manufactured.
Topics range from fundamental bioprocesses to new technologies to the economics of biomanufacturing. Also
covers the impact of globalization on regulation and quality approaches as well as supply chain integrity. Students
taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

J. C. Love, A. Sinskey, S. Springs

7.549[J] Case Studies and Strategies in Drug Discovery and Development

Same subject as 15.137[J], 20.486[J], HST.916[J]

Prereq: None
G (Spring)
2-0-4 units

See description under subject 20.486[J].

A. W. Wood

7.55 Case Studies in Modern Experimental Design

Prereq: Permission of instructor

G (Spring)
2-0-7 units

Focuses on enhancing students' ability to analyze, design and present experiments, emphasizing modern
techniques. Class discussions begin with papers that developed or utilized contemporary approaches (e.g.,
quantitative microscopy, biophysical and molecular genetic methods) to address important problems in biology.
Each student prepares one specific aim of a standard research proposal for a project that emphasizes research
strategy, experimental design, and writing.

L. Guarente, F. Solomon
7.57 Quantitative Biology for Graduate Students

Prereq: Permission of instructor

G (Spring)
4-0-8 units

Introduces the fundamental concepts and tools of quantitative approaches to molecular and cellular biology.
Covers a wide range of mathematical, computational, and statistical methods, although no previous expertise in
these areas is required. Focuses on understanding quantitative approaches through the analysis of particular
problems and examples drawn from classical genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, and systems
biology.

J. Davis, G. W. Li

7.58 Molecular Biology

Subject meets with 7.28

Prereq: 7.03, 7.05, and permission of instructor
G (Spring)
5-0-7 units

Detailed analysis of the biochemical mechanisms that control the maintenance, expression, and evolution of
prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. Topics covered in lecture and readings of relevant literature include: gene
regulation, DNA replication, genetic recombination, and mRNA translation. Logic of experimental design and data
analysis emphasized. Presentations include both lectures and group discussions of representative papers from the
literature. Students taking the graduate version are expected to explore the subject in greater depth.

S. Bell, E. Calo

7.60 Cell Biology: Structure and Functions of the Nucleus

Prereq: 7.06 or permission of instructor

G (Spring)
3-0-9 units

Eukaryotic genome structure, function, and expression, processing of RNA, and regulation of the cell cycle.
Emphasis on the techniques and logic used to address important problems in nuclear cell biology. Lectures on
broad topic areas in nuclear cell biology and discussions on representative recent papers.

L. Boyer
7.63[J] Immunology

Same subject as 20.630[J]

Subject meets with 7.23[J], 20.230[J]
Prereq: 7.06 and permission of instructor
G (Spring)
5-0-7 units

Comprehensive survey of molecular, genetic, and cellular aspects of the immune system. Topics include innate and
adaptive immunity; cells and organs of the immune system; hematopoiesis; immunoglobulin, T cell receptor, and
major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and genes; development and functions of B and T lymphocytes;
immune responses to infections and tumors; hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiencies. Particular
attention to the development and function of the immune system as a whole, as studied by modern methods and
techniques. Students taking graduate version explore the subject in greater depth, including study of recent primary
literature.

S. Spranger, M. Birnbaum

7.66 Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease

Subject meets with 7.26

Prereq: 7.06 and permission of instructor
G (Spring)
4-0-8 units

Focuses on the principles of host-pathogen interactions with an emphasis on infectious diseases of humans.
Presents key concepts of pathogenesis through the study of various human pathogens. Includes critical analysis and
discussion of assigned readings. Students taking the graduate version are expected to explore the subject in greater
depth.

D. Kim, S. Lourido

7.68[J] Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core II

Same subject as 9.013[J]

Prereq: Permission of instructor
G (Spring)
3-0-9 units

See description under subject 9.013[J].

G. Feng, L.-H. Tsai

7.69[J] Developmental Neurobiology

Same subject as 9.181[J]
Subject meets with 7.49[J], 9.18[J]
Prereq: 9.011 or permission of instructor
G (Spring)
3-0-9 units

See description under subject 9.181[J].

E. Nedivi, M. Heiman

7.71 Structural and Biophysical Analysis of Biological Macromolecules

Subject meets with 5.78

Prereq: 5.13, 5.60, (5.07[J] or 7.05), and permission of instructor
G (Spring)
5-0-7 units

Studies theory and practice of 3-D analysis of macromolecules, using X-ray crystallography and EM analysis.
Covers biophysical methods to characterize molecular properties and interactions. Includes discussion of current
literature and, importantly, practical exercises in crystallization, model building, and the use of shared
instrumentation available at MIT. Meets with 5.78 when offered concurrently.

C. Drennan, T. Schwartz

7.72 Stem Cells, Regeneration, and Development

Prereq: Permission of instructor

G (Spring)
4-0-8 units

Topics include diverse stem cells, such as muscle, intestine, skin, hair and hematopoietic stem cells, as well as
pluripotent stem cells. Topics address cell polarity and cell fate; positional information and patterning of
development and regeneration; limb, heart and whole body regeneration; stem cell renewal; progenitor cells in
development; responses to wounding; and applications of stem cells in development of therapies. Discussions of
papers supplement lectures.

R. Hynes, P. Reddien

7.76 Topics in Macromolecular Structure and Function

Prereq: Permission of instructor

G (Spring)
3-0-6 units

In-depth analysis and discussion of classic and current literature, with an emphasis on the structure, function, and
mechanisms of proteins and other biological macromolecules.

T. Baker, R. T. Sauer

7.77 Nucleic Acids, Structure, Function, Evolution and Their Interactions with Proteins

Prereq: 7.05, 7.51, or permission of instructor

G (Spring)
3-0-9 units

Surveys primary literature, focusing on biochemical, biophysical, genetic, and combinatorial approaches for
understanding nucleic acids. Topics include the general properties, functions, and structural motifs of DNA and
RNA; RNAs as catalysts and as regulators of gene expression; RNA editing and surveillance, and the interaction of
nucleic acids with proteins, such as zinc-finger proteins, modification enzymes, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and
other proteins of the translational machinery. Includes some lectures but is mostly analysis and discussion of
current literature in the context of student presentations.
D. Bartel, U. RajBhandary

7.80 Biological Chemistry II

Subject meets with 5.08[J], 7.08[J]

Prereq: 5.12 and (5.07[J] or 7.05)
G (Spring)
4-0-8 units

More advanced treatment of biochemical mechanisms that underlie biological processes. Topics include
macromolecular machines such as the ribosome, the proteosome, fatty acid synthases as a paradigm for polyketide
synthases and non-ribosomal polypeptide synthases, and polymerases. Emphasis is on experimental methods used
to unravel these processes and how these processes fit into the cellular context and coordinate regulation. Students
taking the graduate version are expected to explore the subject in greater depth.

E. Nolan, R. Raines

7.95 Cancer Biology

Prereq: 7.85 and permission of instructor

G (Spring)
3-0-9 units

Advanced seminar involving intensive analysis of historical and current developments in cancer biology. Topics
address principles of apoptosis, principles of cancer biology, cancer genetics, cancer cell metabolism, tumor
immunology, and therapy. Detailed analysis of research literature, including important reports published in recent
years. Enrollment limited.

R. Weinberg, O. Yilmaz

7.98[J] Neural Plasticity in Learning and Memory

Same subject as 9.301[J]

Prereq: Permission of instructor
G (Spring)
3-0-6 units

See description under subject 9.301[J]. Juniors and seniors require instructor's permission.

S. Tonegawa