headshot of new assistant biochemistry professor Diana Ranoa in pink shirt and beige background with text, Welcome to the School of MCB.

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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
Ana Jonas in her office; Ana Jonas with her spouse in formal attire

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...
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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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Biochemistry's Nicholas Wu named Vallee Scholar

Nicholas Wu, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, is among the newest cohort of Vallee Scholars named Friday by the Vallee Foundation....
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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...