Research in this department covers basic questions that include how the immune response in mammals is regulated, how the maturation of retroviruses occurs, and what is the role of metal ions in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, research with direct clinical applications is being carried out such as the development of anticancer agents and the design of inhibitors of retroviral maturation. A wide range of techniques is applied by a number of groups to study the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. These studies utilize technologically sophisticated techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography, to more traditional organic chemistry and physical chemistry approaches.
FACULTY WITH RESEARCH INTERESTS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
An, Songon
Understanding spatial and temporal regulation of cellular metabolic enzymes and their organization in cells
Koirala, Deepak
RNA biochemistry, structure and function
Kyoung, Minjoung
Understanding molecular underpinnings of how signaling pathways cross-talk with metabolic pathways in cancer cells by developing and applying novel bioanalytical and biophysical tools.
Smith, Aaron
Protein Translation, Posttranslational Modification, and Heme and Pathogenic Iron Uptake and Delivery