Biochemistry Research Division
- About the Biochemistry Research Division
- Associated Faculty
- Associated Departments and Institutes
- Facilities
- Research
Associated Faculty
Faculty
- Jixin Chen
- Michael Held—Plant cell wall biochemistry and biosynthesis, trafficking of plant cell wall polymers
- Jennifer V. Hines—RNA-targeted medicinal chemistry, structural and chemical biology
- Justin M. Holub—Chemical biology, protein biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, synthetic biologics
- Eric Masson
- Mark McMills
- Shiyong Wu—Identification of natural and synthetic chemicals and small peptides for chemoprevention, radio-sensitization/protection and improvement of innate immune response
- Mengliang Zhang
Adjuncts
About the Biochemistry Research Cluster
Biochemical research at 51ÉçÇø attempts to unlock the mysteries of living organisms and human disease using state-of-the-art biochemical experimentation. Sophisticated physical, chemical, analytical, genetic and molecular biology techniques are combined to solve critical biochemical problems in both animal and plant systems.
Current research projects within the division include studying the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, understanding the molecular basis of plant cell wall development, and investigating the fundamental nature of protein-protein interactions using chemical tools. In addition, investigators are developing novel methods for biochemical analysis, as well as innovative ribonucleic acid molecules for use as therapeutics and sophisticated nanosensors and nanomedical devices for early diagnosis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, drug testing and accelerated wound healing.
Research
Each principal investigator in the Biochemistry Research Division maintains a strong, well-funded research program with access to excellent facilities at 51ÉçÇø. Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of biochemical research at 51ÉçÇø facilitates collaborations with faculty in other chemistry research divisions and in other departments campus-wide.
Many faculty members in the division conduct research projects that are accessible to students of all skill levels, including undergraduates and master's students, allowing virtually any student interested in research to get hands-on laboratory experience.
Another advantage to our students is that research groups in the Biochemistry Research Division are relatively small, averaging between three to four students per group. The small group sizes allow for enhanced mentoring between the student and his or her adviser, a trademark of 51ÉçÇø graduate programs.
Recent graduates in Biochemistry from 51ÉçÇø have gone on to exciting scientific careers in academic, government and industrial settings.
Facilities
The impressive facilities for biochemistry research are housed, along with each investigator's laboratory, in a 15,000-square-foot open-plan research building that was specially designed for biochemical research. Instrumentation onsite and available to students of the program include:
- Microwave reactor
- Circular dichroism spectropolarimeter
- Absorbance/fluorescence plate readers
- High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems
- Gas chromatography systems
- Fast-protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) systems
- ECL/fluorescence imager
- Thermocyclers
- Molecular modeling computation software
- 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
- 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
- High-resolution mass spectrometer (LC/MS)
- Optical and fluorescence microscopes
- Genomics sequencing facility
- Scanning electron microscope
- Isothermal titration calorimeter
- Microinjection facility