Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede

Thesis research under the supervision of faculty. Repeatable for Credit.

Independent research in Rice BioSciences faculty laboratories (sections 2 and above) or other Texas Medical Center laboratories (section 1). Students must have secured a research position prior to applying for BIOS 310. Students spend at least 42 hours in the laboratory for each semester hour of credit (>9h/week for 3 credits). A minimum of 3 credit hours is needed to count toward the BS in Biosciences or to replace one required 300+ level elective lab course for the BA in Biosciences (cannot replace major concentration core labs). Requires a proposal abstract, weekly reports, and a research paper (fall/spring/summer) or a poster presentation (spring/summer for advanced students). Students wishing to perform their research in an off-campus lab must apply online (biosugresearch.rice.edu) at least 3 weeks prior to the start of classes and may not register for fewer than 3 credit hours. Students taking BIOS 310 in the full summer semester must be available to do full-time research for a minimum of 6 weeks or part-time equivalent which should equal to a total of 126 hours working in the lab. It is recommended that summer students spread their hours over 8-10 weeks. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Students are strongly advised to secure research advisors and register for the class well in advance of the start of classes. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Students are strongly advised to secure research advisors and register for the class well in advance of the start of classes. Repeatable for Credit.

The Biosciences Honors Research Program offers our seniors and advanced juniors the opportunity to perform a two-semester, individual research project in a research laboratory in Biosciences or an approved off-campus site and offers opportunities for students to develop their written and oral scientific communication skills. Students registering for BIOS 401 are expected to take BIOS 402 the following semester. Each semester, students are expected to average 15 hours per week in research (laboratory) and communication skills activities (scheduled through the companion seminar co-requisite). In BIOS 401, students will prepare regular progress reports, attend lab meetings, and write an end-of-semester short paper (at least 5 pages) on their work. Must register for co-requisite BIOS 411.

This course provides a mechanistic exploration of the biophysical principles governing protein folding, stability, and the energy landscapes that dictate functional states. A central focus is the failure of these processes—protein misfolding—and the subsequent kinetics of amyloid aggregation, a phenomenon underlying debilitating pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. We will address the added complexity of the cellular proteostasis network, including the role of molecular chaperones, metal ion homeostasis, and the emerging significance of intrinsically disordered proteins and liquid-liquid phase separation. Throughout the curriculum, we evaluate the advanced methodological toolkit—including spectroscopy, calorimetry, and microscopy—essential for characterizing proteins at the atomic and molecular scale. We also cover the chemical principles used to express, engineer, and purify proteins for subsequent experiments. Cross-list: CHEM 546. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate biochemistry (BIOS 301, CHEM 340) and physical chemistry (BIOS 352, CHEM 301/302)

Discussion of individual research or current topics in particular areas. Intended for students conducting research projects in the lab of the instructor. Repeatable for Credit.

Biochemistry & Cell Biology graduate research. Repeatable for Credit.

This course provides a mechanistic exploration of the biophysical principles governing protein folding, stability, and the energy landscapes that dictate functional states. A central focus is the failure of these processes—protein misfolding—and the subsequent kinetics of amyloid aggregation, a phenomenon underlying debilitating pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. We will address the added complexity of the cellular proteostasis network, including the role of molecular chaperones, metal ion homeostasis, and the emerging significance of intrinsically disordered proteins and liquid-liquid phase separation. Throughout the curriculum, we evaluate the advanced methodological toolkit—including spectroscopy, calorimetry, and microscopy—essential for characterizing proteins at the atomic and molecular scale. We also cover the chemical principles used to express, engineer, and purify proteins for subsequent experiments. Cross-list: BIOS 546. Recommended Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate biochemistry (BIOS 301, CHEM 340) and physical chemistry (BIOS 352, CHEM 301/302)

Repeatable for Credit.