Scientists engineer human T cell receptors against cancer antigens

Graduate student Sheena Smith and Professor David Kranz of the Department of Biochemistry have developed an approach to discover T cell receptors that could be therapeutically useful against different cancers. In collaboration with graduate students Yuhang Wang and Javier Baylor and Professor Emad...

Scientists discover a new role for estrogen in the pathology of breast cancer

Biochemistry professor David Shapiro, M.D.-Ph.D student Neal Andruska, graduate student Xiaobin Zheng and their colleagues discovered a new mechanism by which estrogen contributes to the pathology of breast cancer. The findings are published in the journal Oncogene.

Biochemistry notes the passing of noted former faculty member, J. Woodland "Woody" Hastings

Dr. Hastings was a biochemistry faculty member at the University of Illinois from 1957 to 1966. His groundbreaking research focused on communication among bacteria. An endowed chair his name, donated by George and Tamara Mitchell, is currently held by Professor Robert Gennis.

How Heat-Loving Organisms Are Helping Advance Medicine

One of the fascinating things about this world are organisms that live (and thrive) in extreme conditions. Dr. Robert Gennis leads an NIH-funded team that is studying membrane protein from thermophiles.

In Memoriam: Colin A. Wraight

Professor Colin A. Wraight passed away July 10, 2014 at the age of 68 after a long and heroic struggle with cancer. Professor Wraight employed biochemical and biophysical methods to understand how the structure of membrane proteins allowed them to catalyze the transfer of electrons and protons...

Kalsotra Awarded Nationally Competitive March of Dimes Research Grant

Assistant professor of biochemistry and medical biochemistry, Auinash Kalsotra, has been awarded the Basil O’Conner Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes.

MicroRNA misregulation in muscular dystrophy

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Auinash Kalsotra, and colleagues have discovered the process by which myotonic dystrophy affects activity of the small bits of genetic material called microRNAs in the heart.

It takes a(n academic) village to determine an enzyme's function

Professor of Microbiology John Cronan, Professor of Biochemistry John Gerlt and Professor of Chemistry Jonathan Sweedler, along with colleagues from two other institutions, teamed up to discover the role of an enzyme known as HpbD in its bacterial host, Pelagibaca bermudensis.

Susan Martinis Named as a 2013 University Scholar

The Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs recognized Professor and Head of Biochemistry Susan Martinis as one of six University Scholars at the Urbana-Champaign campus for 2013.

"Photosynthesis Research" Dedicates Article Series to Govindjee

The journal "Photosynthesis Research" announced the publication of a series of articles in honor of Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry Govindjee's contributions to photosynthesis research and education.