Biological Chemistry

Research at the interface of chemistry and biology is an exciting and dynamic area for scientists in both disciplines. Biological chemists investigate the molecular basis of biological processes relevant in medicine, biotechnology, or other life sciences. Each biological chemistry research group uses analytical or synthetic approaches to learn how molecules function in living organisms. Research activities in our Department cluster in several interest areas:

• Biochemistry
• Bioorganic
• Bioinorganic
• Biophysical
• developing new therapeutic or imaging strategies and antenna complexes,
• characterizing the chemical components, mechanisms, or structures of biomolecules using spectroscopic techniques and kinetic methods, and
• creating small molecule probes of biomolecular function.

In each area, strong training in the core areas of chemistry helps students gain a deep understanding of biochemical and biophysical phenomena.

Faculty associated with research in Biological Chemistry include Joseph Ackerman, Carolyn Anderson, Robert Blankenship, Michael Gross, Richard Gross, Joshua Maurer, Liviu Mirica, Jacob Schaefer, John-Stephen Taylor, and Michael Welch.