2026 Pre-College Summer Course｜Biochemistry

Pano Education
Jan 15
4 min read

Updated: May 29

2026 Pre-College Summer Course｜University of Washington, Seattle ｜Biochemistry｜Biochemistry : Understanding the Biochemical Basis of Health and Disease |

In today's world of medicine, biotech, and AI healthcare, have you ever wondered:

How does the human body generate energy?
How do genes contribute to disease?
What molecular mechanisms underlie cancer, diabetes, and immune disorders?

Biochemistry serves as a foundational discipline connecting life sciences, medicine, and biotechnology. Through understanding molecular interactions and biochemical processes within cells, students will explore how the human body functions, how diseases develop, and how modern therapeutics are designed.

Pre-College Course: Biochemistry

Go Beyond High School Biology

Students will experience university-level biochemistry concepts that form the foundation of medicine and life sciences.

Academic Research & Critical Thinking

Students will learn how to build hypotheses, analyze experimental data, evaluate scientific literature, and develop research communication skills aligned with U.S. university standards.

Disease-Oriented Biomedical Learning

The course explores real-world medical topics including cancer biology, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.

AI & Modern Biotechnology Applications

Students will examine how modern biomedical research integrates biotechnology, computational analysis, and emerging scientific technologies.

You will gain:

Instruction from a U.S. research university professor
Small-class interactive learning environment (8–16 students)
15-day intensive pre-college academic program
40 hours of guided instruction
University-style lectures, discussions, virtual labs, and group activities
Final individual research project and presentation

Course Content

Foundations of Biochemistry

Cells and biomolecules
Water and acid-base balance
Bioenergetics and metabolism

DNA & Gene Expression

DNA and RNA structure
DNA replication
Transcription & Translation
Gene regulation and epigenetics

Proteins & Enzymes

Protein structure
Protein folding
Enzyme function
Protein degradation

Human Metabolism

Glycolysis
Citric Acid Cycle
Oxidative Phosphorylation
ATP synthesis

Lipid Metabolism & Cell Membranes

Fatty acid metabolism
Biological membranes
Cholesterol metabolism

Disease & Therapeutic Applications

Cancer biology
Diabetes mellitus
Immunotherapy
Gene therapy
Drug design pipeline

This course will be taught by Professor Michael Holt from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington. Students will gain exposure to protein structure, DNA, metabolism, disease mechanisms, and modern biomedical research.

—— You will achieve ——

❝ Learn how to think like a real biomedical researcher by building hypotheses and analyzing scientific data. ❞

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❝Develop the ability to read and understand university-level biomedical science and medical concepts.❞

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❝ Complete a research report and oral presentation aligned with U.S. university standards. ❞

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❝ Strengthen critical thinking, scientific communication, and analytical problem-solving skills. ❞

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❝ Receive an official course completion certificate upon successful completion of the program. ❞

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❝ Opportunity to obtain a personalized recommendation letter from the professor. ❞

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— About Professor Michael Holt —

Prof. Michale Holt

- University of Washington, Seattle -

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Professor Michael Holt is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington (UW), where he teaches protein structure, energy metabolism, and hands-on laboratory courses modeled after authentic research. He holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Colorado and completed postdoctoral training in immunology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). With rich experience as a high school prep teacher and a UW research scientist, Professor Holt is also a dedicated mentor, actively guiding students toward careers in medicine, dentistry, and biotech industries.

| Academic Background |

University of Maryland | College Park, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus | Aurora, CO

| Publications｜

Holt, Michael P et al. “TCR Signaling and CD28/CTLA-4 Signaling Cooperatively Modulate T Regulatory Cell Homeostasis.” Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) vol. 198,4 (2017): 1503-1511.
Holt, Michael P et al. “Endogenous mouse mammary tumor viruses (mtv): new roles for an old virus in cancer, infection, and immunity.” Frontiers in oncology vol. 3 287. 26 Nov. 2013,
You, Qiang et al. “Role of hepatic resident and infiltrating macrophages in liver repair after acute injury.” Biochemical pharmacology vol. 86,6 (2013): 836-43.
Cheng, Linling et al. “Involvement of natural killer T cells in halothane-induced liver injury in mice.” Biochemical pharmacology vol. 80,2 (2010): 255-61.
Holt, Michael P et al. “Exacerbation of acetaminophen-induced disturbances of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in the absence of Kupffer cells in mice.” Toxicology letters vol. 194,1-2 (2010): 34-41.
Numerous journal articles and book chapters on hepatotoxicity, the immune system, and drug reactions.

｜Research Experience｜

Research Scientist & Lab Manager | University of Washington Dept. of Biochemistry & Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine | Laboratory of Thelma Escobar, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (IRTA) | National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIAID, Laboratory of Immunology (Cellular Immunology Section) | Bethesda, MD | Advisor: Ethan M. Shevach, M.D.
Graduate Researcher (Toxicology) | University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences | Aurora, CO
- Research interests encompass: immunology, toxicology, liver injury, metabolism, and cell biology -