Dr. Falke's laboratory investigates the molecular basis of the chemical sensing pathways that (i) enable macrophages and other leukocytes to follow chemical trails to sites of infection, inflammation or tissue damage, and (ii) engulf, or phagocytose, pathogens or damaged tissue. The same pathway stimulates normal cell growth and is central to many human cancers. The work is revealing fundamental insights into the molecular nature of cell signaling on membrane surfaces important in signaling biology and medicine, and is developing tools widely useful in biochemistry and biophysics.
keywords
biochemistry and biophysics of cellular signaling pathways and membrane proteins, macrophage chemotaxis and phagocytosis, cancer, inflammation, innate immunity
BCHM 4400 - Core Concepts in Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Introduces thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy, emphasizing macromolecule and biochemical applications. Includes thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibriums, solution chemistry, rates of chemical and biochemical reactions, chemical bonds and principles and selected examples of spectroscopies applied to biological systems. Department enforced prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1120 or PHYS 2020. Formerly CHEM 4411. Same as BCHM 5400. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 4511.
BCHM 4491 - Modern Biophysical Methods
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Covers the basic theory of biophysical methods widely employed in biochemistry and biology, including: electrophoresis, mass spec, calorimetry, evanescent waves, plasmon resonance, Xray diffraction, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, electron and optical microscopy and single molecule methods. Discusses ways to maximize rigor and reproducibility in biophysical studies. Department enforced prerequisites: undergraduate chemistry (general, organic physical); physics; calculus. Recommended prerequisite or corequisite: BCHM 4400 or CHEM 4531. Same as BCHM 5491.
BCHM 5491 - Modern Biophysical Methods
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Covers the basic theory of biophysical methods widely employed in biochemistry and biology, including: electrophoresis, mass spec, calorimetry, evanescent waves, plasmon resonance, Xray diffraction, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, electron and optical microscopy and single molecule methods. Discusses ways to maximize rigor and reproducibility in biophysical studies. Same as BCHM 4491. Department enforced prerequisites: undergraduate chemistry (general, organic, physical), biochemistry, physics, calculus.
BCHM 6601 - Biochemistry Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
Restricted to and required for all currently funded NIH/CU Biophysics trainees and current NIH/CU Biophysics affiliates. Credit is deferred until presentation of satisfactory seminar. Formerly CHEM 6601.
CHEM 6601 - Biochemistry Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019
Restricted to and required for all currently funded NIH/CU Biophysics trainees and current NIH/CU Biophysics affiliates. Credit is deferred until presentation of satisfactory seminar. Formerly CHEM 6601.
MCDB 6000 - Introduction to Laboratory Methods
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
Introduces methodology and techniques used in biological research. Designed as a tutorial between a few students and one faculty member. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, and to plan and execute experiments in selected areas. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
