Biochemistry

Biochemists study the chemistry of living things in both normal and diseased states. They try to understand the complex structural combinations that occur between biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids (e.g. DNA, shown here), as well as, the molecular reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity.

The chemistry of the brain and how various drugs affect it, the biosynthesis of cholesterol and how to control it, the mechanics of muscle contraction at the molecular level, are all examples of the scope of the discipline. Biochemists use techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray crystallography and fluorescence spectroscopy to study biomolecules and the reactions involved in these processes.

The recent development of genetic engineering has led to a tremendous increase in the ability of biochemists to understand the delicate chemical balance that is found in living organisms. Ultimately, a complete understanding of the cause and treatment of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and heart disease depend on a thorough understanding of the chemistry underlying these disease states.

The Biochemistry program draws on faculty from the departments of both biology and chemistry. Faculty expertise is available in structural biochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, enzymology, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics and biochemical genetics.

Biochemistry students may emphasize the "biological" or the "chemical" side of biochemistry. For the last several years, this was formalized in a two-track system (Molecular Biochemistry and Physical Biochemistry, resp.), but in Fall 2001, the two tracks were combined, and students now have the flexibility to choose courses from both tracks, as well as to elect courses from the new Bioinformatics Program. The details of the new Biochemistry curriculum are available at the Biochemistry Curriculum link.

Students enrolling at USP after Fall 2001 will follow the "new" Biochemistry Curriculum. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2001 may continue to follow either track of the older curriculum, or choose to graduate under the new Biochemistry Curriculum. Examples of the two older curricula are available at the following links: Molecular Biochemistry and Physical Biochemistry.