The faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics perform research in a broad spectrum of biomedically relevant areas, including DNA and RNA structure and enzymology; protein folding, misfolding and aggregation; cellular mechanics; membrane receptor-mediated signaling; and hemostasis, thrombosis and vascular biology. The department offers training opportunities at the crossroads of biochemistry, biophysics, systems biology, proteomics, computational science and pharmacological sciences.
The department's approaches to research focus on understanding the energetics, structure and mechanisms of biological processes. Investigators employ a variety of experimental methods (e.g., X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, thermodynamics, rapid kinetics) in combination with computational approaches to unravel the molecular underpinnings of processes of relevance to health and disease. Novel single-molecule methods are providing new insight into the molecular details of enzyme mechanisms and macromolecule dynamics. The high-throughput screening of chemical libraries and the use of synthetic medicinal chemistry to develop small-molecule probes of biological systems provide new avenues for translational research and the development of experimental therapeutics.
The faculty in the department organize and teach basic science courses in the medical school curriculum. In the Arts & Sciences curriculum, the faculty teach courses in Nucleic Acids & Protein Biosynthesis (BBS 5480), Chemistry and Physics of Biomolecules (BBS 5357), and Macromolecular Interactions (BBS 5312). The overarching theme of these courses is to understand the principles of the molecular interactions that underlie the biological process of health and disease. Students in the School of Medicine and the School of Arts & Sciences are eligible for these courses and may elect to pursue biomedical research under the direction of our faculty. A full listing of advanced course topics can be found on our website.
Contact Info
| Website: | http://biochem.wustl.edu |
Ben Garcia, PhD
Department Chair
Visit our website for more information about our faculty and their appointments.
A
Hema Adhikari, M.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Master of Science, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2015
Doctor of Philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2015
B
Jacques Ulrich Baenziger, Ph.D., M.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Arts, New College of Florida, 1969
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St Louis, 1975
Doctor of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, 1975
Wayne Morris Barnes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Arts, University of California Riverside, 1969
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1974
Shripad Bhagwat
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Senior Director Needleman Program for Innovation & Commercialization
Melissa Diane Stuchell Brereton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri in St Louis, 2001
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Utah, 2006
Peter M Burgers, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Marvin A. Brennecke Professor of Biological Chemistry
Bachelor of Science, Leiden University, 1969
Master of Science, Leiden University, 1972
Doctor of Philosophy, Leiden University, 1977
C
Byoungkyu Cho, M.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 2010
Master of Science, Seoul National University, 2013
Doctor of Philosophy, Seoul National University
John A Cooper, Ph.D., M.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professorship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology
Bachelor of Science, Brown University, 1977
Doctor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1982
Doctor of Philosophy, Johns Hopkins University, 1983
D
Gregory DeKoster, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Arts, Monmouth University, 1990
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Iowa, 1997
Roland Ellwood Dolle, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Director of the Center for Drug Discovery
Bachelor of Science, Arizona State University, 1978
Master of Science, State University of New York, 1980
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, 1984
Elizabeth Draganova, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Doctor of Philosophy, Georgia State University, 2016
E
Elliot L Elson, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University, 1959
Doctor of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1966
Ryan Joseph Emenecker, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2016
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St Louis, 2021
F
Doug E. Frantz, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Commercialization
Bachelor of Science, Stephen F Austin State University, 1994
Doctor of Philosophy, Texas A&M University, 1998
Carl Frieden, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Arts, Carleton College, 1951
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1955
G
Eric A Galburt, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Brown University, 1997
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, 2002
Roberto Galletto, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Master of Science, University of Genova, 1996
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Texas Galveston, 2002
Benjamin Aaron Garcia, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished Professor of Biological Chemistry
Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Virginia, 2005
Alireza Ghanbarpour, M.S., Sc.M., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Assistant Professor of Molecular Microbiology
Assistant Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology
Bachelor of Science, Shahid Beheshti University, 2012
Master of Science, Sharif University of Technology, 2014
Master of Science, Sharif University of Technology, 2014
Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, 2019
Yehuda Ginosar, M.D.
Voluntary Research Professor of Anesthesiology
Doctor of Medicine, University of London, 1986
Young Ah Goo, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Professor of Genetics
Bachelor of Science, Chonnan National University, 1990
Master of Science, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, 1994
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Washington, 2002
Lina Greenberg, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Brandeis University, 2004
Doctor of Philosophy, Tufts University, 2010
Michael Jonathan Greenberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Brandeis University, 2004
Doctor of Philosophy, Boston University, 2010
H
Kathleen Hall, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Minnesota, 1974
Doctor of Philosophy, University of California Berkeley, 1985
Kristina Harris Petersen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (Pending Executive Faculty Approval) (primary appointment)
Assistant Dean for Student Success and Access
Bachelor of Fine Arts, New York University, 2001
Doctor of Philosophy, Cardiff University, 2007
Alexander Steven Holehouse, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St Louis, 2017
William F Holmes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Emeritus of Biological Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts, Princeton University, 1953
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, 1960
I
Maxenia Garcia Ilagan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Associate Professor of Developmental Biology
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Missouri Columbia, 2000
J
James W Janetka, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Professor of Molecular Microbiology
Carl Frieden Distinguished Professor
Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1996
K
Yuriy Victorovich Kirichok, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Master of Science, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 1997
Doctor of Philosophy, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology of NAS of Ukraine, 2000
Andrzej Modest Krezel, M.S., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (Pending Executive Faculty Approval) (primary appointment)
Master of Science, University of Warsaw, 1986
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1991
Shivesh Kumar, M.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Master of Science, Jiwaji University, 2004
Doctor of Philosophy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2010
L
Weikai Li, M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Science, East China University of Science and Technology (华东理工大学), 1993
Master of Science, University of Tennessee, 1998
Doctor of Philosophy, Yale University, 2004
Timothy M Lohman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Brennecke Professor of Biophysics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Arts, Cornell University, 1973
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1977
M
Michael Mannino, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri in St Louis, 2014
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Missouri in St Louis, 2019
Garland R Marshall, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Science, California Institute Technology (Duplicate of California Institute of Technology), 1962
Doctor of Philosophy, Rockefeller University, 1966
F. Scott Mathews, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Science, University of California, 1955
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Minnesota, 1959
N
Natalie Marie Niemi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, 2005
Doctor of Philosophy, Van Andel Research Institute, 2012
O
Michael D Onken, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Arts, Washington University in St Louis, 1990
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St Louis, 2000
Jeramia Ory, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska, 1988
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Minnesota, 1998
P
Linda J Pike, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Bachelor of Science, University of Delaware, 1975
Doctor of Philosophy, Duke University, 1980
R
Janice Lee Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Associate Professor of Chemistry (Courtesy Affiliation)
Bachelor of Science, University of Toronto, 2002
Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, 2009
Ana Maria Ruiz Manzano, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Doctor of Philosophy, Universidad Automoma de Madrid, 2004
S
Andrea Soranno, M.S., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Master of Science, University of Milan, 2005
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Milan, 2008
Junji Suzuki, Ph.D., M.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Doctor of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 2012
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tokyo, 2016
Mito Suzuki, M.S., Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Kyoto University, 2013
Master of Science, Kyoto University, 2015
Doctor of Philosophy, Kyoto University, 2018
T
Eric J Tomko, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri Columbia, 2002
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St Louis, 2010
Z
Rui Zhang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, Nanjing University, 2005
Doctor of Philosophy, Baylor University, 2010
Mingzhou Zhou, Ph.D.
Instructor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (primary appointment)
Bachelor of Science, University of Science and Technology Beijing (北京科技大学), 2004
Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Florida, 2010
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Research Electives
During the fourth year, opportunities exist for many varieties of advanced clinical or research experiences.
Wayne M. Barnes, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-3351
Inventing a new way to sequence DNA; PCR at one temp; RT-enabled Taq pol
Greg Bowman, PhD
South Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-7433
The Bowman lab seeks to understand how protein dynamics gives rise to functional processes like allosteric communication between distant sites and to exploit our insight into this shape-shifting to design new drugs and proteins.
Peter M.J. Burgers, PhD
South Building, 1st Floor
Phone: 314-362-3872
Molecular biology of DNA replication and damage response in yeast and humans
John Cooper, MD, PhD
South Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-0287
Molecular mechanisms of cell motility and cytoskeleton assembly
Carl Frieden, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-3344
Protein folding, aggregation, intrinsically disordered proteins, fluorescence methods, ApoE lipoproteins and Alzheimer's disease
Eric A. Galburt, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-5201
Biophysical studies of transcription initiation in eukaryotes and mycobacterial tuberculosis
Roberto Galletto, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-4368
Mechanistic studies of DNA motor proteins
Michael Greenberg, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-8670
Our lab is focused on cytoskeletal molecular motors in health and disease. We are currently studying the effects of mutations that cause heart disease.
Kathleen Hall, PhD
South Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-4196
We study RNA folding and RNA binding to proteins.
Alex Holehouse, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-273-8371
Understand how function is encoded into disordered sequences using a combination of computational and experimental approaches
Jim Janetka, PhD
Cancer Research Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-0509
Rational structure-based drug design and synthesis for cancer and infectious disease
Andrzej Krezel, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-8482
Structural biology of transcriptional regulation in the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori
Weikai Li, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-8687
Structural and biochemical studies of membrane proteins supporting blood coagulation
Timothy M. Lohman, PhD
North Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-4393
Mechanisms of DNA-protein interactions; DNA motor proteins (helicases) and SSB proteins
Garland R. Marshall, PhD
Cancer Research Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-935-7911
A major focus is molecular recognition: the basis of intermolecular interactions and specificity seen in drug and hormone receptors and in antigen-antibody and substrate-enzyme systems.
Linda Pike, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-362-9502
Our focus is on the mechanisms of action of growth factors and polyphosphoinositide metabolism.
Janice Robertson, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-273-7758
Our goal is to understand how and why membrane proteins fold, form stable complexes, and achieve conformational stability inside of the oil-filled cell membrane.
Andrea Soranno, PhD
South Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-273-1632
Our main research interests are the physical principles and molecular mechanisms that determine biomolecular function.
Rui Zhang, PhD
McDonnell Sciences Building, 2nd Floor
Phone: 314-273-1663
We combine single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and concepts from polymer physics to investigate intrinsically disordered proteins. We also develop innovative methods to study macromolecular conformations and dynamics within cells and in membraneless organelles.