RESEARCH IN THE DEPARTMENT
From Harland Wood’s discovery of carbon dioxide fixation to the recent development of the Mighty Mouse by Richard Hanson’s group, the Department of Biochemistry has a storied tradition in biomedical research. Faculty in the department use a wide range of techniques and systems to address fundamental biological and disease related questions. Faculty also interact with a number of research centers outside of the department such as the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for RNA Molecular Biology. Research within the
department tends to follow along several tracts.
Proteins and Enzymes
Elucidating the biochemical and biophysical properties of individual proteins is essential to understanding how such factors are deregulated in human disease. From metabolic enzymes to chromatin modifying factors, faculty members study a
variety of enzymatic molecules.
Structural Biology
Three dimensional structure is the ultimate determinant for protein function and the department has a large contingent of structure related investigators. Technology
such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, and Raman spectroscopy are used to decipher
the structural properties of a variety of macromolecules. Faculty also participate in
the Cleveland Center for Structural Biology.
Regulation of Gene Expression
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control gene expression is a key
question in modern biology. Hormonal control of transcription, DNA-protein
interactions, and oncogene function are just a few of the topics our faculty are
focused on.
Metabolic Regulation and Gene Therapy
Deregulation of metabolic control is reemerging as a key determinant in the
progression of numerous human diseases. Development of transgenic mouse
models and new approaches to gene therapy for human diseases are just two of the
key areas of faculty interest.
Many pre- and post-doctoral trainees working in this area are supported by the Metabolism Training Program, an NIH-funded training grant that is based in the Biochemistry Department.
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