Research
Research Highlights
From Harland Wood's discovery of carbon dioxide fixation to the recent development of the Mighty Mouse by Richard Hanson's group, the Department of Biochemistry has a storied tradition in biomedical research. Faculty in the department use a wide range of techniques and systems to address fundamental biological and disease related questions. Research within the department follows along several tracts.
Structural Biology
Three dimensional structure is the ultimate determinant for protein function and the department has a large contingent of structure related investigators. Technology such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, and Raman spectroscopy are used to decipher the structural properties of a variety of macromolecules.
| Paul Carey | Marianne Pusztai-Carey |
| Focco van den Akker | Vivien Yee |
| Menachem Shoham | Michael Weiss |
Proteins and Enzymes
Elucidating the biochemical and biophysical properties of individual proteins is essential to understanding how such factors are deregulated in human disease. From metabolic enzymes and chromatin modifying factors to RNA helicases, faculty members study a variety of enzymatic molecules.
| Focco van den Akker | Vivien Yee |
| Menachem Shoham | William Merrick |
| Paul Carey | Marianne Pusztai-Carey |
| Michael Weiss |
Regulation of Gene Expression
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control gene expression is a key question in modern biology. Hormonal control of transcription, DNA-protein interactions, and oncogene function are just a few of the topics our faculty are focused on.
| Hung-Ying Kao | Hanson / Berger Laboratory |
| M.L. (Nikki) Harter | Michael Weiss |
Metabolic Regulation and Gene Therapy
Deregulation of metabolic control is reemerging as a key determinant in the progression of numerous human diseases. Development of transgenic mouse models and new approaches to gene therapy for human diseases are just two of the key areas of faculty interest. Many pre- and post-doctoral trainees working in this area are supported by the Metabolism Training Program, an NIH-funded training grant.
| Hanson / Berger Laboratory | Martin Snider |
