The Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Baylor College of Medicine offers a research-oriented program of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. The graduate program applies modern methods of molecular and cell biology, genetics, neuroscience, imaging, electrophysiology, biophysics, immunology, protein biochemistry, and pharmacology to the study of problems of physiological importance. Training is offered that will prepare students for either academic or corporate biotechnology careers.

The department is highly interactive with ongoing research in the areas of:

• drug and gene delivery
• development of biosensors for genetic diagnosis
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• structure and function of ion channels and transport proteins
• cell cycle control
• neuronal morphology
• redox signaling
• signal transduction
• synaptic plasticity
• reactive oxygen species

In addition, knockout and transgenic mice are used for a number of different types of whole animal studies, including the study of muscle and cardiovascular function, learning and memory, and cancer. The department is involved in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.

A major emphasis of the department is the study of the mechanisms of human diseases including:

• Cancer
• Alzheimer's disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Skeletal muscle disease (myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, malignant hyperthermia, central core disease)
• Motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Asthma

The department participates in the Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences granting a Ph.D. degree to qualified candidates. The department also participates in Baylor College of Medicine’s M.D./Ph.D. Program.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the reciprocity that Baylor College of Medicine maintains with Rice University, the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, all of which are within easy walking distance, and the University of Houston, also nearby. These institutions provide a broader base of course selections, particularly in mathematics, computer science and physics.

To introduce entering graduate students to the research options available and to facilitate the selection of a major thesis advisor, the department offers faculty research discussions, reading tutorials and laboratory rotations.

Coursework: After completion of the first year in the program, students must have completed the required 60 term hours including all required courses. Graduate students must make a grade of "B" or better in all required course work.

Lab Rotations: During the first year, each student rotates through at least two different laboratories in the department. This time should be used to identify the student's mentor for the dissertation research, to learn a variety of techniques, and to become familiar with the research work in the department.

Qualifying Exam: Within two years following entry into the program, students must have taken their qualifying exam. The format of the exam is the definition of a research problem and the development of a written proposal to address the stated question on a topic of the student's choice. The proposal must be written independently and defended by the student. The exam is designed to assess creativity and rationality in the design of research. The student's basic knowledge of molecular physiology and biophysics will also be examined and the student is responsible for all information gained during the student's course of study. Upon satisfactory completion of the qualifying examination, the student is formally recommended to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Dissertation: After the completion of the first year, each student must choose his/her major dissertation advisor and Dissertation Advisory Committee. The advisor guides the student in effective and maximal use of resources within the department. Progress reports must be completed each year by the end of the second term and at the end of the fourth term. Upon written consent from the student's advisory committee, the student should begin to write the disseration.