Biochemistry Research

With an emphasis on research training that involves leading researchers in academia and biotechnology, we allow students to select their research group for thesis work following lab rotations. They participate in research early in their graduate work, preferably in the first year of study.

Concurrent with thesis research, students take classes in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology and biotechniques. They can serve as teaching assistants and engage actively in broad-based research seminars and colloquium programs.

Ongoing research opportunities include:

  • Protein structure and function correlation
  • DNA metabolism and genetic stability
  • Gene expression and regulation
  • Cell cycle and proliferation
  • Cell signaling
  • Cell development and differentiation
  • Structural biology and molecular mechanisms of arsenic detoxification
  • Molecular mechanisms of immune system, cancer etiology and development
  • Anticancer drug development and drug delivery

Research Facilities

  • Core Facilities
    • Electron Microscopy
    • DNA core facility (DNA sequencing and phylogenetics)
    • Small Animal Facility
    • Microscopy core
    • Histology and pathology core
    • Tissue culture core
    • Mass Spectrometry
    • NMR
    • Forensic DNA Profiling Facility
    • Trace Metals Facility
    • Trace Evidence Analysis Facility and others
  • Additional Research Facilities
    • FT-IR
    • JASCO Circular Dichroism J-815
    • UV-Vis spectrophotometer
    • Fluorescence spectrophotometer
    • Micro-isothermal titration calorimeter
    • Differential scanning calorimeter
    • Fluorescent/ luminescent/ UV/ Vis plate reader (Biotek, Synergy 2)
    • High speed and ultra-speed centrifuges Scintillation Counters
    • FPLC
    • Thermocyclers
    • Computer Cluster
    • PCR, real time, single color
    • PCR, real time, multicolor
    • DNA sequencers
    • Electrospray Mass Spectrometry
    • CHI Scanning Potentiostat
    • HPLC
    • Confocal Imagining Microscope
    • GUAVA Cell Cytometer
    • Fluorescence microscope
    • Multimode plate reader
    • Atomic force microscope
    • Tissue culture facilities
    • Phoshorimager
    • Nanodrop and others
First year rotations provide a great opportunity not only to participate in different interesting research projects but also to make new friends and choose the environment that suits your personality the most for further work.

Elena Shersher, 2016 Biochemistry PhD graduate