Courses

1. Anatomy:
The Faces of Anatomy
Barry Hinton, Ph.D.
March 27, 2008
The modern science of medicine began with the study of anatomy. Today medical students still begin their studies with the structure of the human body. Tonight we will discuss some of the functions of the twelve cranial nerves that are involved in taste, hearing, seeing, eye movements, and facial expressions and learn first-hand how these functions are tested.


2. Hormones and Cells:
The Ups and Downs of Blood Sugar
David L. Brautigan, Ph.D.
Eugene Barrett, M.D.
April 3, 2008
in this session, we will examine how blood sugar is stored and how hormonal signals activate and change our metabolism to maintain health. We will also look at how defects in this delicate cell signaling system can result in diseases such as diabetes and how new research approaches may help in the future.

Questions & Answers Lecture Audio


3. Immunology: AIDS 2001:
The Odyssey of an Expanding Tragedy
Brian Wispelwey, M.D.
April 10, 2008
AIDS is the most disastrous new disease of our time. However, research seeking a cure has produced important advances in our knowledge of the immune system, viruses, and gene therapy. In this session, we will consider the future of the epidemic, the insidious virus that causes the disease, the response of the immune system to the virus, and research on treatment and prevention.



4. Cancer:
When Good Cells Go Bad
Geoffrey R. Weiss , M.D.
April 17, 2008
Cancer occurs when genes that control the growth and movement of normal cells accumulate mutations. The result is unrestrained cellular behavior. For example, the genes which control the normal processes of wound healing can, when mutated, give rise to unregulated, malignant behavior. Understanding these molecular genetic changes is leading to better ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer.




5. Hypertension: The Silent Disease Dearing W. Johns, M.D.
April 24, 2008
Many diseases have symptoms that make us feel bad, but hypertension is a serious disease that usually has no symptoms. Medication to control hypertension can even make a patient feel worse. Patients with hypertension feel well - until they experience a heart attack or stroke. In this session, Dr. Johns will interview a patient with hypertension and discuss the causes, prevention, and treatment of the silent disease that affects millions of us.


6. Research in Action: A Tour of a Research Lab Margaret Shupnik, M.D.
May 1, 2008
Participants will be divided into small groups. Each group will visit a research lab and see first-hand how medical research is conducted at the University.




7. Aging: Know Old With Me
Diane G. Snustad, M.D.
May 8, 2008
Aging affects all of us - we are each doing it continually, but what does it mean to be old? When do we become old? The answers to these questions are changing as society ages and medical science makes new discoveries. We will discuss the characteristics of aging people, their medical care, and some diseases that affect the brain in later life such as Alzheimer's. Finally, we will investigate the answer to the important question, "How do we age successfully?"

University of Virginia Health System