Biochemistry

Researchers discover previously undetected role of protein in peptide biosynthesis

2022-12-06

Drs. Kristen Flatt and Yiwu Zheng sit at a computer monitor. They are looking at the monitor, with Dr. Satish Nair standing behind them looking at the screen as well.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have discovered an unexpected reaction within a protein family. Their findings, which were recently published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, could have dramatic implications for the development of future therapeutics.

NIH renews support for computational work that advances biomedical research

2022-11-08

Emad Tajkhorshid poses by journal covers

Since its launch more than three decades ago, researchers with the Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics Center at the University of Illinois have developed powerful modeling, simulation, and visualization software tools that help researchers better...

Lethal damage to the ribosome, arguably the most important machinery in living organisms, can be repaired

2022-09-27

image of ribosomal rescue research image

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...

Govindjee receives Lifetime Achievement Award for photosynthesis research

2022-09-12

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...

MEET MCB: Daniel Castro

2022-09-01

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.

Cancer Center biochemist celebrates 40 Years at Illinois

2022-08-24

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.

Light-activated technique helps bring cell powerhouses back into balance

2022-08-03

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.

Meet MCB: Biochemistry PhD student Yiquan Wang

2022-07-25

Yiquan Wang sits smiling in a white lab coat with his arms crossed next to a computer displaying his artwork in the Wu Lab.

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.

Biochemistry professor Nicholas Wu awarded Ann Palmenberg Junior Investigator Award

2022-07-18

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-...

COVID-19 virus spike protein flexibility improved by human cell's own modifications

2022-07-05

The simulations revealed that the host cell's own protein-processing infrastructure adds sugar groups called glycans, shown in red, which make the spike protein more flexible and mobile – key traits for infection and for evading antibodies. Image courtesy of Tianle Chen.

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...

Contact Us