Biochemistry

Chen lab uncovers new insights, new player in immune system defense

2023-11-09

Headshots of Nikita Modi and Lin-Feng Chen

When confronted with infection or injury, our body rallies to fight and heal itself and inflammation is a key part of this early defense system. But inflammation can also go awry, as exhibited in chronic illnesses such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Biochemistry professor...

School of MCB Welcomes Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan

2023-10-22

Biochemistry professor Hong Jin stands with Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan in the atrium of Chemical and Life Sciences Laboratory

In early October, the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology hosted a lecture featuring Nobel Laureate, Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan. Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for his work on “studies of the structure and function of the ribosome.” In 2000, Ramakrishnan...

Meet Chang Cui, new assistant professor of biochemistry

2023-10-31

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Department of Biochemistry are pleased to welcome Chang Cui as an assistant professor of biochemistry. She joins us in November 2023 from Harvard...

“Buckle up and hold on tight!” Study discovers how bacterial pathogens stick to surfaces better when they encounter fluid flow

2023-10-20

Headshots of researchers Joe Sanfilippo (left) and Jessica Palalay

Host tissues and medical devices are ideal surfaces for bacterial pathogens to colonize and infect. Fluid flow is thought to flush bacteria off these surfaces, but University of Illinois researchers have found that some bacteria can strengthen their adhesion to the surface when flow is applied. In...

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

2023-09-15

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce winners of its “Life Inspiring” art competition. Earlier this year, undergraduate and graduate students were invited to submit original art that captured the joys of their scientific endeavors, whether through graphic design,...

Meet new biochemistry professor Chu-Young Kim

2023-09-11

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Department of Biochemistry are pleased to welcome Chu-Young Kim as a professor of biochemistry. We recently spoke with him about his research and teaching...

Bringing cells to life … and to Minecraft: $30 million NSF grant supports whole-cell modeling research

2023-09-07

Collage of images of scientists in tech centers from National Science Foundation

A new research center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will create whole-cell models that promise to transform our understanding of how cells function. With cutting-edge imaging and simulation tools, the center will advance the study of healthy and diseased cells; accelerate research...

Meet MCB: Jhewelle Fitz-Henley, PhD

2023-09-05

Dr. Jhewelle Fitz-Henley joined the School of MCB in August 2023 as Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Outreach. She recently met with MCB PhD student Quang Nguyen to talk about her journey in science and...

CAR-T immune therapy attacks ovarian cancer in mice with a single dose

2023-08-01

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who worked on a CAR-T immune therapy gather in a lab for a photo. Pictured, from front left: postdoctoral researcher Diana Rose Ranoa, graduate student Claire Schane, professor emeritus of biochemistry David Kranz (front center), researcher Amber Lewis and professor emeritus of pathology Edward Roy.

CAR-T immune therapies could be effective against solid tumors if the right targets are identified, a new study led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers suggests. The researchers successfully deployed CAR-T in a mouse model of ovarian cancer, a type of aggressive, solid-tumor...

Team identifies key driver of cancer cell death pathway that activates immune cells

2023-07-31

A team of research scientists gather in their laboratory.

Scientists have identified a protein that plays a pivotal role in the action of several emerging cancer therapies. The researchers say the discovery will likely aid efforts to fine-tune the use of immunotherapies against several challenging cancers.

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