Professor and Chairman of Biochemistry Department

The laboratory of Dr. Weiss is broadly interested in structural mechanisms of human diseases: transcriptional deregulation and protein misfolding. Clinical correlations are exploited to decipher structure-function relationships. The approach of study is interdisciplinary, combining structural, biphysical and molecular-biologic techniques. Applications seek to define shared molecular principles underlying seemingly diverse processes, such as transcriptional regulation in viral pathogenesis, human development, and tissue-specific gene expression.

Associate Professor

Dr. Hua's research is focused on the solution structure and dynamics of proteins by use of multidimensional NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical methods. Studies explore the mechanism of chaperone-assisted protein and of oxidative protein folding. Application is made to mutations in insulin and b-cell transcription factors causing diabetes mellitus in humans.

Associate Professor

Dr. Phillips is studying biochemical mechanisms of tissue-specific transcription factors. Applications are made to metazoan sex determination and diabetes mellitus. Past studies of Dr. Phillips began under the guidance of the late Prof. Harlan Wood and focused on pyrophosphate- and polyphosphate-utilizing enzymes from bacteria and protozoan parasites.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Narayana's current research focuses on the structure of components of b-cell transcription factors involved in diabetes mellitus and related protein-DNA complexes using X-ray crystallography. Mutations in such factors impair glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and define a b-cell-specific cascade of gene regulation.

Assistant professor

Dr. Li's particular interest is mutagenesis technique regarding qualitative and quantitative mutation. Currently, his major interest focus on mouse DM library and transgenic mouse related with some genes. He has published more than twenty papers in different journals.

Instructor

Dr. Wan is interested in macromolecular crystallography and its applications in diabetes research. Studies focus on high-resolution structures of insulin analogs designed to test structure-function relationships. Of particular interest is the use of non-standard amino acids, incorporated by total protein synthesis, to extend the boundaries of conventional site-directed mutagenesis.

Wenhua Jia

Uma Narendra

Mei Yin

Research Assistants