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Lethal damage to the ribosome, arguably the most important machinery in living organisms, can be repaired
New research from University of Illinois biochemistry professor Raven Huang reveals that lethal ribosomal damage in bacteria can be reversed by a pair of bacterial enzymes named PrfH and RtcB. The finding raises the question of whether similar ribosomal damage can also be repaired in humans because...
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Govindjee receives Lifetime Achievement Award for photosynthesis research
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, an honor he shares with Eva-Mari Aro, a professor emeritus of molecular plant biology at the University of...
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MEET MCB: Daniel Castro
Castro joined the Department of Biochemistry in 2018 as a graduate student when he joined the Sweedler group to learn more about mass spectrometry. He works on developing new mass spectrometry approaches to measure individual cells and their chemical contents in a high-throughput fashion.
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Cancer Center biochemist celebrates 40 Years at Illinois
Stephen G. Sligar has spent the last 40 years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign applying his expertise in membrane proteins and his nanodisc technology to better understand biological pathways and address diseases including cancer.
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Light-activated technique helps bring cell powerhouses back into balance
University of Illinois biochemistry professor Kai Zhang and collaborators developed a technique using light to regulate mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses inside cells. The technique could address mitochondrial diseases and cancer.
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Meet MCB: Biochemistry PhD student Yiquan Wang
Yiquan Wang is a PhD student in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at UIUC. In our latest "Meet MCB" video, Yiquan shares how he's bridging his love for art and biochemistry to help people better understand virology.
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Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu awarded Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award
Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu has been awarded the Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award by the American Society for Virology. As a recipient of the award, Wu delivered a research talk at the 2022 ASV Annual Meeting. This year's conference is being held at UW-Madison from July 16-...
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COVID-19 virus spike protein flexibility improved by human cell's own modifications
When the coronavirus causing COVID-19 infects human cells, the cell’s protein-processing machinery makes modifications to the spike protein that render it more flexible and mobile, which could increase its ability to infect other cells and to evade antibodies, a new study from the University of...
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Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia
A natural small molecule derived from a cypress tree can transport iron in live mice and human cells lacking the protein that normally does the job, easing a buildup of iron in the liver and restoring hemoglobin and red blood cell production, a new study found.
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New Rabinowitch Lecture Series honors pioneering UIUC biophysicist
The Departments of Biochemistry and Plant Biology are pleased to announce the creation of the Rabinowitch Lecture Series, which will feature guest speakers who have made key achievements in the two fields.