Biochemistry | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

Biochemists investigate the processes in living systems from a molecular perspective. We lead innovative research programs in chemical biology, nucleic acids biochemistry, molecular virology, membrane biochemistry, genomics, microbial physiology, signal transduction & more. We provide tools to develop the next generation of medicine.

Graduates of our undergraduate and PhD programs have become leaders in medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, nutrition, microbiology, cell biology, food technology, pollution control, and biotechnology.

Biochemistry News

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Building blueprints for drug-producing enzymes: A Q&A with Chu-Young Kim

A new review article co-authored by Chu-Young Kim, Professor of Biochemistry, discusses the architecture of modular polyketide synthases (PKS), a type of enzyme found in various organisms that synthesize widely...

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Wu named Vallee Scholar

Nicholas Wu, PhD, is among the newest cohort of Vallee Scholars named Friday by the Vallee Foundation. The award recognizes outstanding junior faculty members conducting...

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Celebrating new School of MCB faculty scholars, distinguished promotions

Five faculty members from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology have been recognized for their excellence in research and teaching through named scholar positions and distinguished promotions. Congratulations to Sayee Anakk, Auinash Kalsotra, Paola Mera, Lori Raetzman, and Joe Sanfilippo...

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New AI model promises to speed up process of antibody characterization

An AI language model developed by Illinois researchers for sequence-based antibody specificity prediction and published in Immunity will accelerate epitope mapping and improve scientists’ understanding of the B-cell...

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Light targets cells for death and triggers immune response with laser precision

A new method of precisely targeting troublesome cells for death using light could unlock new understanding of and treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers report...

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New antibiotic kills pathogenic bacteria, spares healthy gut microbes

Researchers have developed a new antibiotic that reduced or eliminated drug-resistant bacterial infections in mouse models of acute pneumonia and sepsis while sparing healthy microbes in the mouse gut. The drug, called lolamicin, also warded off secondary infections with Clostridioides...