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Biochemistry

Can bacteria handle stress? Study reveals how combined stressors overwhelm harmful bacteria

The human body is a stressful place for bacteria to live. They must defend against many chemical and physical stressors, in addition to the immune system. One major physical stressor is fluid flow, which constantly circulates in the bloodstream, urinary tract, and lungs. Research has...

Celebrating the 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium Winners

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on November 13, 2024. This annual event showcases the hard work of our undergraduate researchers, who contribute to advancing knowledge in biochemistry, cell and...

Winners announced for "Life Inspiring:" A gallery of images from the School of MCB

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to congratulate the winners of its “Life Inspiring” art competition, which celebrates the intersection of life sciences and art. Earlier this year, undergraduate and graduate students were encouraged to submit original works of art...

Mouse model reveals liver involvement in muscular dystrophy

 A new mouse model mimicking the liver symptoms of myotonic dystrophy type 1 — the most prevalent form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy — provides insight into why patients develop fatty liver disease and display hypersensitivity to medications, making treatment difficult. The new model opens...

Meet Diana Ranoa, new assistant professor of biochemistry

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Department of Biochemistry are pleased to welcome Dr. Diana Ranoa as assistant professor of biochemistry. Dr. Ranoa...

Biochemistry student joins 2024 Homecoming Court

Adding to the continued success of our School of Molecular & Cellular Biology students, biochemistry major Ben Shapiro was recently selected for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2024 Homecoming...

Team discovers naturally occurring DNA-protein hybrids

Thanks to a serendipitous discovery and a lot of painstaking work, scientists can now build biohybrid molecules that combine the homing powers of DNA with the broad functional repertoire of proteins — without having to synthesize them one by one, researchers report in a new study. Using a naturally...

Arc protein sheds light on cellular trafficking pathway

What talks without being seen or heard? It sounds like a riddle, but neuronal communication had perplexed biochemists until a few years ago, when scientists discovered ways in which neurons talk to each other — not with cell phones or instant messaging, but through the exchange of virus-like...

In Memoriam: Emerita Biochemistry Professor Ana Jonas

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Department of Biochemistry are saddened to share the news that emerita biochemistry professor Ana Jonas passed away on June 12, 2024. Known for her compassion, curiosity, and drive, Jonas managed a robust research enterprise that advanced our...

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...