Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
47 courses · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
MOL BIO 200A Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2-12
Individual research with Molecular Biology and Biochemistry faculty.
MOL BIO 200B Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2-12
Individual research with Molecular Biology and Biochemistry faculty.
MOL BIO 200C Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2-12
Individual research with Molecular Biology and Biochemistry faculty.
MOL BIO 200R Research in Developmental & Cell Biology for First-year Students
- Units
- 2-12
Independent research within the laboratories of graduate training faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for first-year Ph.D. students.
MOL BIO 201A Seminars in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Presentation of research from department laboratories or, when pertinent, of other recent developments.
MOL BIO 201B Seminars in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Presentation of research from department laboratories or, when pertinent, of other recent developments.
MOL BIO 201C Seminars in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Presentation of research from department laboratories or, when pertinent, of other recent developments.
MOL BIO 202A Tutorial in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Tutorials in the area of research of a particular professor which relate current research to the literature. May be conducted as journal clubs.
MOL BIO 202B Tutorial in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Tutorials in the area of research of a particular professor which relate current research to the literature. May be conducted as journal clubs.
MOL BIO 202C Tutorial in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Units
- 2
Tutorials in the area of research of a particular professor which relate current research to the literature. May be conducted as journal clubs.
MOL BIO 203 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- BIO SCI 98 and BIO SCI 99 and CHEM 51A and CHEM 51B and CHEM 51C
Structure and chemistry of nucleic acids. Relationship between these properties and the mechanisms of fundamental processes such as replication and repair, RNA-mediated catalysis, formation and regulation of higher order chromatin structure and recombination.
MOL BIO 204 Protein Structure and Function
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- BIO SCI 98 and BIO SCI 99 and CHEM 51C
The structure and properties of proteins, enzymes, and their kinetic properties.
MOL BIO 205 Molecular Virology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MOL BIO 203 with a minimum grade of B- and MOL BIO 204 with a minimum grade of B-
Primary research data on the major DNA and RNA viruses emphasizing strategies of regulation of gene expression. Utilization of viruses as molecular biological tools. Graduate-level knowledge of the biochemistry and molecular biology of macromolecules is required.
MOL BIO 210 Tumor Microenvironment, Immunology, and Metabolism
- Units
- 4
Covers basic background and current topics in the cells that compose the complex tumor microenvironment. Explores how these cells interact to support metabolism and shape immune response.
MOL BIO 211 Structural Biology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2B
Basic principles of magnetic resonance, Xray crystallography, and CryoEM toward the determination of high-resolution biomolecular structures.
MOL BIO 214 Literature in Protein Structure and Function
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- MOL BIO 204
Exploration and critical analysis of recent primary scientific literature in structure and properties of proteins, enzymes, and their kinetic properties.
MOL BIO 215A Integrative Immunology I
- Units
- 4
Provides an introduction to immunology, but focuses on providing in-depth analysis of selected topics within the broader field of immunology, including relevant research techniques, while improving critical thinking skills.
MOL BIO 215B Integrative Immunology II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- PHYSIO 215 with a minimum grade of B+
Lectures and student presentations of primary literature. Focuses on advanced topics and cutting edge technologies in modern immunology. Combination of didactic lectures and student-led journal article discussion.
MOL BIO 217A Principles of Cancer Biology I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MOL BIO 203 with a minimum grade of B- and MOL BIO 204 with a minimum grade of B-
Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are studied from molecular viewpoints. Also studies their role in cancer; viral carcinogenesis. Designed for graduate students interested in cancer research. Format includes lectures and student-led discussions.
MOL BIO 217B Principles of Cancer Biology II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MOL BIO 203 with a minimum grade of B- and MOL BIO 204 with a minimum grade of B-
Topics include cancer cell growth and metastasis, chemical carcinogenesis, and cancer genetics and epidemiology. Designed for graduate students interested in cancer research. Format includes lectures and student-led discussions.
MOL BIO 218 Clinical Cancer
- Units
- 3
Designed to acquaint students in basic life science with clinical cancer.
MOL BIO 220 Structure & Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules Journal Club
- Units
- 2
Advanced topics in macromolecular struture and synthesis as related to biological problems.
MOL BIO 221L Advanced Immunology Laboratory
- Units
- 4
An advanced course in immunology for graduate students enrolled in the Biotechnology master's program. Emphasis is placed on learning modern techniques in immunology such as ELISAs, western blotting, immunofluorescent staining assays.
MOL BIO 223 Introduction to Computational Biology
- Units
- 4
The use of theories and methods based on computer science, mathematics, and physics in molecular biology and biochemistry. Basics in biomolecular modeling. Analysis of sequence and structural data of biomolecules. Analysis of biomolecular functions.
MOL BIO 227 Immunology Journal Club
- Units
- 2
Advanced topics in immunology as related to an understanding of human disease.
MOL BIO 229 Research-in-Progress Seminars
- Units
- 1
Two half-hour presentations by graduate students and postdoctorals to the department on their current research projects.
MOL BIO 237 Muscle Journal Club and Research in Progress
- Units
- 1
Designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of current research and advancements in the field of skeletal muscle biology and disease.
MOL BIO 243 Topics in Stem Cells
- Units
- 2-4
Presentation by participating faculty or guest lecturer that is open to the science community, followed by discussion of the lecture topic or a related topic. Students are responsible for presentations and readings.
MOL BIO 248 Metallobiochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 131C (may be taken concurrently) or CHEM 132C (may be taken concurrently)
A review of the biochemistry of metallic elements emphasizing: methods for studying metals in biological systems; the chemical basis for nature's exploitation of specific elements; structures of active sites; mechanisms; solid-state structures and devices; metals in medicine.
MOL BIO 250 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology - Nucleic Acids
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- MOL BIO 250L
Supplements laboratory curriculum with scientific background behind experimental methods. Format consists of lectures and the presentation and analysis of relevant papers from the scientific literature.
MOL BIO 250L Biotechnology Laboratory - Nucleic Acids
- Units
- 8
- Corequisite
- MOL BIO 250
Nucleic acid techniques and recombinant DNA technology. Extraction and purification of nucleic acids, cloning and subcloning, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, nucleic acid hybridization, additional associated procedures. Students must demonstrate accurate documentation of data (laboratory notebook) detailing experience and results.
MOL BIO 251 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology - Protein Purification and Characterization
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- MOL BIO 250L with a minimum grade of B- and MOL BIO 250 with a minimum grade of B-
- Corequisite
- MOL BIO 251L
Supplements laboratory curriculum with scientific background behind experimental methods. Format consists of lectures and the presentation and analysis of relevant papers from the scientific literature.
MOL BIO 251L Biotechnology Laboratory - Protein Purification and Characterization
- Units
- 8
- Prerequisite
- MOL BIO 250L with a minimum grade of B- and MOL BIO 250 with a minimum grade of B-
- Corequisite
- MOL BIO 251
Major techniques of handling proteins and antibodies. Protein engineering, expression and large-scale purification of recombinant proteins from bacteria, HPLC, antibody purification, western blotting, additional associated procedures. Students must demonstrate accurate documentation of data (laboratory notebook) detailing experience and results.
MOL BIO 252L Biotechnology Management Laboratory
- Units
- 8
Overview of current methods in biotechnology, designed specifically for biotechnology graduate students. Organized into four distinct sections (nucleic acids, proteins, virology, and immunology). Students must demonstrate accurate documentation of data (laboratory notebooks) detailing experience and results.
MOL BIO 253 Biotech Management
- Units
- 5
Taught jointly by Bio Sci and Merage School faculty, the course addresses fundamental aspects within, and associated with, the biotechnology industry. Curriculum is focused largely on management issues, including finance, product development, pharmaceuticals, project management, regulatory affairs, and ethics.
MOL BIO 268 Seminar in Systems Microbiology Research
- Units
- 1
A research and journal club seminar that covers topics on bacteria and phage using approaches and principles from biology, engineering, and physics.
MOL BIO 270 Science Communication Skills
- Units
- 2
Development of effective communication skills, oral and written presentations. Topics range from the art of creating keynote slides to strategically crafting a personal story, culminating in a live presentation to an invited audience.
MOL BIO 277 Advanced Cryogenic Electron Microscopy
- Units
- 4
Electron microscopy for biological applications. Practical aspects of cryo-EM, including sample preparation, instrumentation, data collection and processing methods. Electron crystallography, tomography and microED. Applications of cryo-EM, current issues and future avenues are discussed along with computational protein design.
MOL BIO 280 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Units
- 4
Selected topics in specified areas of concentration, e.g., nucleic acids, protein biochemistry, genetic expression, biochemical genetics. Specific topics announced in advance.
MOL BIO 291 Graduate School Fundamentals
- Units
- 2
Lectures and discussions providing basic skills needed for success in Ph.D. graduate studies. Topics include formulating a hypothesis, experimental design, literature review, grant writing, oral communication, biostatistics, time management, and professional development.
MOL BIO 292A Scientific Communication
- Units
- 2
Small group meetings for graduate students to practice scientific writing, debate, and presentation skills.
MOL BIO 292B Scientific Communication
- Units
- 2
Small group meetings for graduate students to practice scientific writing, debate, and presentation skills.
MOL BIO 292C Scientific Communication
- Units
- 2
Small group meetings for graduate students to practice scientific writing, debate, and presentation skills.
MOL BIO 293A Cancer Biology Journal Club
- Units
- 1
Focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of cancers. Covers a variety of cancer-related research areas, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA repair, metastasis, angiogenesis, and others.
MOL BIO 293B Cancer Biology Journal Club
- Units
- 1
Focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of cancers. Covers a variety of cancer-related research areas, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA repair, metastasis, angiogenesis, and others.
MOL BIO 293C Cancer Biology Journal Club
- Units
- 1
Focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of cancers. Covers a variety of cancer-related research areas, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA repair, metastasis, angiogenesis, and others.
MOL BIO 295 Biomedical Research Methods
- Units
- 2
Lectures and interactive discussions of research methods in modern biomedical science. Each week will focus on a different class of techniques, including molecular, biochemical, immunological, genomic, bioinformatics, microscopy, cancer biology, genome editing. One hour per week, grading based on attendance.