Faculty News

Greg Wang and Qi Zhang become associate professors with tenure

Congratulations to Greg Wang and Qi Zhang, associate professors of biochemistry and biophysics who received tenure as a UNC faculty effective June 1, 2018.

Kuhlman wins DeLano Award for computer applications to enhance research

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology issued 12 awards to top scientists, including Brian Kuhlman, PhD, professor of biochemistry and biophysics.

LLS awards Wang Career Development Program Scholar Grant

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has awarded Biochemistry and Biophysics Associate Professor G. Greg Wang, PhD, a five year, $550,000 Career Development Program Scholar Grant to support his research to decipher and target acute myeloid leukemia cell dependency and epigenetic mutations.

Could Reading our Circadian Clocks According to DNA Repair Optimize Chemotherapy?

For the first time, UNC School of Medicine scientists led by Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar analyzed whole-genome DNA repair in an animal over 24 hours to find which genes were repaired, where exactly, and when, laying the groundwork for a more precise use of anti-cancer drugs.

How Does Plant DNA Avoid the Ravages of UV Radiation

The lab of Aziz Sancar, Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, reveals the first-ever repair map of an entire multicellular organism to illuminate the inner workings of the plant kingdom’s highly efficient DNA repair system special thanks to the research of Onur Oztas, PhD, Christopher Selby, PhD, Ogun Adebali, PhD.

Large Aggregates of ALS-causing Protein Might Actually Help Brain Cells

UNC School of Medicine scientists led by Nikolay Dokholyan, Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, add to evidence that small aggregates of SOD1 protein are the brain-cell killing culprits in ALS, but the formation of larger, more visible, and fibril-like aggregates of the same protein may protect brain cells.

Brian Strahl Awarded NIGMS Outstanding Investigator Grant

Congratulations to Brian Strahl, Professor & Vice-Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, for being selected to receive an R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institutes of Health.

Prognostic tool could identify high-risk breast cancer patients

In the journal Cell Chemical Biology, researchers led by Biochemistry and Biophysics Associate Professor and Faculty Director, Quantitative Proteomics Center for Disease Marker Discovery, Xian Chen, PhD, report on potential prognostic tool that could be used to identify high-risk patients within particular subtypes of breast cancer.

Researchers define structure, function of enzyme key to blood cancers

In the journal Nature, Greg Wang, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Cell biology Program, and colleagues reported findings about the structure and function of the DNMT3A enzyme complex, which helps control gene expression.

Gene therapy researchers find viral barcode to cross the blood-brain barrier

Congratulations to Aravind Asokan PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics with a Joint Appointment in Biochemistry and Biophysics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member who led UNC scientists to reveal how certain gene-carrying AAV vectors can penetrate the brain more efficiently to treat brain and spinal cord conditions, while reducing liver payload.

Strahl named Smithies Investigator

Congratulations Brian Strahl, PhD, professor and vice chair of the department of biochemistry and biophysics, and Jen Jen Yeh, MD, professor and vice chair of research for the department of surgery, who were selected by the UNC School of Medicine for the annual award in honor of Oliver Smithies, UNC’s first Nobel Prize winner.

UNC Scientists Discover Proteins Keeping Stem Cells in their Undifferentiated State

The lab of Jean Cook, PhD, in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, found how a chain of proteins called an MCM complex could enable the fast cell-division that makes some forms of cancer so dangerous. The study first author Jacob Matson, a PhD candidate in the Cook lab performed most of the experiments.

Campbell receives Liebscher Distinguished Professorship

Congratulations to Sharon Campbell who has been appointed the Gary F. Liebscher Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, effective November 1.

Dokholyan Meets with President of Armenia

Nikolay Dokholyan, Ph.D. from Biochemistry/Biophysics and Alexander “Sasha” Kabanov, Ph.D. from Pharmacology met with the President of Armenia on Nov. 8, 2017.

Parise helps bring Nobel Prize winning CryoEM technology to UNC and RTP

Leslie Parise has been working for years to bring the technology that won a Nobel Prize. “We are going from nothing to three instruments.”

The Science of Fluoride Flipping

Zhang lab develops a new imaging technique helps UNC researchers study tiny, time-sensitive biological processes – the crucial underpinnings of human health and disease.

Bergmeier Blood Advances cover

Blood Advances From the cover. Bergmeier lab image has been selected for the cover of Blood Advances 1:18 issue.

Neher receives Jr. Faculty Research Award from NLA

Congratulations to Saskia Neher, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who received a Basic Science Award from the National Lipid Association (NLA)!

Newly designed viral vectors could lead to improved gene therapies

UNC and University of Florida researchers created viruses to deliver gene therapies while evading pre-existing immune system responses. Congratulations to Aravind Asokan, Assistant Professor of Genetics with a Joint Appointment in Biochemistry and Biophysics of whose findings provide a road map for designing virus strains that can evade neutralizing antibodies.

Where Cigarette Smoking’s Damage is Done . . . Down to Your DNA

A new technique from UNC School of Medicine scientists led by Nobel Prize winner Aziz Sancar reveals the genome-wide DNA damage that a major carcinogen causes.

Researchers show how a cancer gene protects genome organization

UNC study uncovers crucial function of a yeast enzyme Set2 whose well-conserved human counterpart is often mutated in cancers, especially kidney cancer.

Parise elected UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty Chair

Leslie Parise, professor and chair of biochemistry and biophysics, has been elected to a three-year term as chair of the faculty beginning on July 1, 2017.

McGinty Awarded 2017 Pew-Stewart and Searle Scholarships to Pursue Cancer Research

Robert McGinty, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor in Pharmacy with a joint appointment in the department of biochemistry and biophysics has been selected as both a 2017 Searle and a Pew-Stewart Scholar. He is the first Searle Scholar named at the University of North Carolina in the past 10 years.

Parise Nominated as President-Elect of AMGDB

Congratulations to Leslie Parise, professor and chair of Biochemistry and Biophysics on her election as the new President of AMGDB to begin in January, 2018.

Leslie Parise and Lloyd Kramer vie for UNC Chair of Faculty

The Office of Faculty Governance at UNC is pleased to announce the 2017 Chair of the Faculty candidates: Leslie Parise and Lloyd Kramer. Voting takes place on April 7th!

UNC research helps answer why genetic mutation leads to decreased triglycerides in blood

Cassandra Hayne, working with Saskia Neher, PhD, found that a specific mutated version of a lipoprotein binds more effectively to liver cells, thus explaining decreased levels of triglycerides in blood.

Bergmeier nominated to serve as an associate editor for JTH

Congratulations to Wolfgang Bergmeier, associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics who was just named as a new associate editor for the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Zhang receives a CAREER award from the NSF

Congratulations to Qi Zhang, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF)!

How Life Survives: UNC researchers confirm basic mechanism of DNA repair

Findings come from an advanced DNA sequencing application developed by the lab of University of North Carolina Nobel Laureate Aziz Sancar.

Gary Pielak receives UNC Lifetime Mentor Award

Congratulations to Gary Pielak, joint faculty of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and distinguished professor of Chemistry who received a UNC Lifetime Mentor Award!

Bergmeier receives 2016 ATVB Special Recognition in Thrombosis

Congratulations to Wolfgang Bergmeier, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who has been awarded the 2016 ATVB Special Recognition Award in Thrombosis.

Sancar delivers Norma Berryhill Distinguished Lecture

On Oct. 20, 2016, Aziz Sancar, MD, PhD, 2015 Nobel Laureate, Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, delivered the annual Norma Berryhill Distinguished Lecture.

Sancar and Kibbe elected to National Academy of Medicine

Nobel Prize Winner Aziz Sancar, MD, PhD and Melina Kibbe, MD join only twelve current and former UNC School of Medicine faculty members in the prestigious National Academy of Medicine.

Greg Wang receives a research scholar grant from ACS

The American Cancer Society awards Greg Wang, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, a research scholar grant to study the role of PRC2 dysregulation in cancer.

Two UNC School of Medicine startup companies featured in Congressional event

Renovion and EpiCypher, spinouts from the work of David Henke, MD, and Brian Strahl, PhD, respectively, were celebrated at the 2016 National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer’s University Startups Demo Day.

New ALS discovery: scientists reverse protein clumping involved in neurodegenerative conditions

From a new study published in Structure, researchers in the lab of Nikolay Dokholyan have discovered a way to protect neurons from toxic effects by countering the tendency of the protein SOD1 to clump in motor neurons.

An Epigenetic First: researchers pinpoint protein’s role in key biological process

UNC researchers help piece together how the key players in DNA methylation work together during gene regulation, a key finding needed to develop better therapies.

Sancar to receive the NC Award, the state’s highest honor

The state’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award, will be presented to six distinguished North Carolinians on Thursday, September 22. Congratulations to Drs. Aziz Sancar and Paul Modrich who are among the six honorees.

Cook Promoted to Full Professor

Congratulations to Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty Jean Cook who was promoted from associate professor to full professor effective August 1, 2016.

Dohlman named Chair of the Department of Pharmacology

Dr. Henrik Dohlman, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and joint in Pharmacology has been named Chair of the Department of Pharmacology, effective Oct. 1, 2016.

Aziz Sancar accepts 2016 O. Max Gardner Award

Dr. Aziz Sancar, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and 2015 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry earns the 2016 O. Max Gardner Award, the highest faculty honor awarded by the UNC Board of Govenors.

Evolution may have moved at a furious pace on a much warmer Earth

Findings from the lab of Dr. Richard Wolfenden, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics show that rates of spontaneous DNA mutation could have been 4,000 times higher than they are now, thanks to a hotter planet billions of years ago.

Carnegie Corporation tabs Aziz Sancar as “Great Immigrant” honoree

Each year on Independence Day, the organization publishes its list entitled “Great Immigrants: The Pride of America” to honor the accomplishments of notable immigrants. Dr. Aziz Sancar, 2015 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry is a 2016 Carnegie Corporation honoree.

Jill Dowen receives a 2016 Kimmel Scholar Award

Congratulations to Jill Dowen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Biology for her selection as a 2016 Sidney Kimmel Foundation Scholar in cancer research.

Wolfgang Bergmeier featured in Carolina Scientific 2016 spring issue

In the Spring 2016 issue of the UNC Carolina Scientific magazine, Wolfgang Bergmeier is profiled in a story titled “Platelets, the sports car of the vascular system.”

Scientists digitally mimic evolution to create novel proteins

Published in the journal Science, a study by researchers in the Kuhlman lab offers a new route to design the ‘cellular machines’ needed to understand and battle diseases.

New optogenetic tool moves proteins within cells to study biological changes

Researchers in Brian Kuhlman’s lab use lasers to switch proteins off and on to watch how quickly cells react to their new reality.

We rank 8th nationally in NIH funding for 2015

The Department continues to rank highly for NIH funding among all Biochemistry departments in the US. In 2015, the Department secured 15.1 million in federal funding and ranks 8th.

UNC Nobel laureates Oliver Smithies and Aziz Sancar present medals to UNC

Sancar, the 2015 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, donated his prize money to a Chapel Hill foundation. Smithies donated his monetary award to four universities, including UNC.

ASBMB Today highlights Dohlman in their winter issue

In the December 2015 issue, ASBMB Today features Dr. Henrik Dohlman, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics in a “Generations” spotlight that speaks to the importance of education and a shared passion for science and hard work in the Dohlman family.

Carolina’s Nobel Laureates meet President Spellings

On March 23, 2016, Carolina’s two Nobel laureates, Oliver Smithies, Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Aziz Sancar, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics meet with new UNC system President Margaret Spellings.

Carter and UNC collaborators receive a Templeton Foundation award

Congratulations to Dr. Charles Carter, Jr., Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Dr. Eric Brustad, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Dr. Rihe Liu, Professor of Pharmacy, who have been awarded a major grant from the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution of the John Templeton Foundation.

Gary Pielak receives Carl Branden Award from Protein Society

Congratulations to Dr. Gary Pielak! He is the 2016 recipient of the Carl Branden Award from the Protein Society for his contributions to the field of protein chemistry.

Harriet Fulbright Institute announces the Prof. Aziz Sancar Girls in STEM Project

Seven hundred girls from seven cities in Turkey will engage in science, technology, engineering, and math education during a series of three-day conferences.

Sancar receives top honor from Triangle Business Journal

Congratulations to Dr. Aziz Sancar, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Triangle Business Journal and is named as one of their Healthcare Heroes for the year.

Sancar and Modrich honored as “Heroes of the Game”

On January 15, during Teacher Appreciation night, Aziz Sancar of UNC and Paul Modrich of Duke were honored as “Heroes of the Game” for their shared 2015 Nobel prize in chemistry.

Study opens new door for ALS drug discovery

For the first time, scientists pin down the structure of toxic clumps of a protein associated with a large number of ALS cases, opening new avenues in the pursuit of drugs to stem the disease.

Aziz Sancar honored as Tar Heel of the Year

2015 Tar Heels of the Year are Aziz Sancar of the University of North Carolina and Paul Modrich of Duke University.

The Man Behind the Nobel Prize

In this video, learn more about Aziz Sancar, the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemisty for 2015.

Motion Pictures of Micro Anatomy

Qi Zhang, PhD earns a 2015 Jefferson-Pilot Award for his groundbreaking techniques that allow him to create videos of the tiniest bits of the stuff that make us human.

Aziz Sancar receives 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Aziz Sancar, MD, PhD, the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the UNC School of Medicine has been awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his groundbreaking work in mapping DNA repair.

New antibody portal bolsters biomedical research reliability

Brian Strahl, PhD at UNC and Scott Rothbart, PhD at Van Andel Research Institute create a robust online interactive database to address science’s ‘antibody crisis’.

UNC researchers earn prestigious Keck award for cell cycle map

The labs of Jean Cook, PhD, and Jeremy Purvis, PhD, will develop the first-ever interactive molecular model of a crucial cellular process that controls healthy growth and diseases such as cancer.

UNC Lineberger team finds possible strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance acquired by cancer cells

In a new study published in the Cell Press journal “Chemistry & Biology”, researchers in the Chen lab share a discovery that could lead to a new strategy for sensitizing radiation-resistant cancer cells to the treatment.

Potential drug target identified for aggressive breast cancer type

In a new pre-clinical study published today in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, researchers from the Parise lab show they can exploit cancer’s reliance on a particular protein to help fight triple negative breast cancer. They believe the protein could be a potential new drug target.

New evidence emerges on the origins of life on Earth

University of North Carolina researchers provide evidence for how the genetic code developed in two distinct stages to help primordial chemicals evolve into cells.

UNC researchers create DNA repair map of the entire human genome

The new experimental assay can help scientists find the precise locations of repair of DNA damage caused by UV radiation and common chemotherapies. The invention could lead to better cancer drugs or improvements in the potency of existing ones.

Quality Enhancement Plan focuses on the sciences

The 18 members of the QEP steering committee, led by co-chairs Leslie Parise, professor and chair of biochemistry and biophysics, and Kevin Guskiewicz, professor of exercise and sport science and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, will develop the QEP’s focus, implementation and budget before presenting a draft plan to the Provost. One of the major focuses is improvement on science learning.

The “NEW” UNC Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics

The program aims to address the fundamental gaps in knowledge surrounding epigenetic regulation, with a long-term goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches towards treating human disease. Learn more about the newly launched UNC Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics!

Scientists find a key protein that allows Plavix to conquer platelets

These findings published by the Bergmeier lab in the Journal of Clinical Investigation could lead to more personalized approaches to controlling platelet activity during heart attacks and other vascular emergencies and diseases.

Epigenetic Breakthrough: A first of its kind tool to study the histone code

Brian Strahl along with other scientists at UNC have created a new way to investigate epigenetic mechanisms important in diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to cancers. Read more about their work published in Developmental Cell.

We rank 5th nationally in NIH funding in 2014

The Department continues to rank highly for NIH funding among all Biochemistry departments in the US. In 2014, the Department secured 16.4 million in federal funding and ranks 5th.

UNC researchers link gene to increased dendritic spines – a signpost of autism

By deleting the NrCAM gene, scientists have found a potential way to cut back on the neural connections implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Sancar lab finds final pieces to the circadian clock puzzle

Sixteen years after scientists found the genes that control the circadian clock in all cells, the lab of UNC’s Aziz Sancar, MD, PhD, discovered the mechanisms responsible for keeping the clock in sync.

Strahl Lab publishes in Genes and Development

Congratulations to the Strahl Lab for their recent article “Catalysis-dependent stabilization of Bre1 fine-tunes Histone H2B ubiquitylation to regulation gene transcription” that was published in the August 1, 2014 issue of Genes and Development.

A fitness bottleneck in HIV-1 transmission

Congratulations to the Swanstrom lab that published an article titled “A fitness bottleneck in HIV-1 transmission” in the July 11, 2014 issue of Science.

The Ras Tracker

For more than 20 years, Sharon Campbell, PhD, has been studying Ras, a protein implicated in 30 percent of all cancers. Now she’s on the hunt for alternative ways to shut the protein down.

UNC Center for Structural Biology Names New Co-Directors

Michael Miley, PhD and Ashutosh Tripathy, PhD announced as the new co-directors for the UNC Center for Structural Biology (CSB). CSB has also launched a brand new website.

Sharon Campbell receives Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award

Congratulations to Dr. Sharon Campbell, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who is the recipient of the 2014 Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award.

Viva la futbol!

Dr. Aziz Sancar enjoying the games last week with several others.

Silvia Ramos joins the Department

We welcome Dr. Silvia Ramos who has just joined the lab of Dr. Bill Marzluff as a new research faculty member in the Department.

EpiCypher co-founded by Brian Strahl is moving to Chapel Hill

Drs. Brian Strahl, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill along with Or Gozani, Associate Professor at Stanford, and Mark Bedford, Professor of Molecular Carcinogenesis at the University of Texas are the scientific founders of EpiCypher, a company that develops and manufactures novel products and tools for epigenetics and chromatin biology research. As of earlier this month, the operations have been moved from Texas to UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Dohlman lab publishes in Molecular Cell

In the June 19, 2014 edition of Molecular Cell, the Dohlman lab publishes a paper “Cellular Noise Suppression by the Regulator of G Protein Signaling Sst2.”

Brian Strahl receives NIH and NSF grants to study gene expression.

Congratulations to Dr. Brian Strahl, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics for receiving grants from the NIH and NSF

UNC researchers develop insights into protein linked to cell movement

Campbell Lab published an article in Structure that proposes a new model for understanding how these proteins bind together to facilitate cell movement.

Saskia Neher receives a grant from the American Heart Association

Congratulations to Dr. Saskia Neher, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics for receiving a beginning grant in aid from the American Heart Association.

Greg Wang selected as a Kimmel Scholar in cancer research.

Congratulations to Greg Wang, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics for his selection as a 2014 Sidney Kimmel Foundation Scholar in cancer research.

Aravind Asokan receives a CNIHR award from the NIH

Congratulations to Aravind Asokan, Assistant Professor in Genetics and Joint in Biochemistry & Biophysics for receiving a Creative and Novel Ideas in HIV Research award from the NIH.

Greg Wang receives grant from Gabrielle’s Angels

Greg Wang receives a grant from Gabrielle’s Angels to study “Novel Approaches to Target PRC2 Enzymatic Complexes for the Treatment of Hematopoietic Malignancies”

Brian Strahl Promoted to Full Professor

Congratulations to Dr. Brian Strahl who was promoted to full professor effective April 25, 2014.

Greg Wang receives an ASH Scholar Award

Congratulations to Greg Wang, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics who is the recipient of an American Society of Hematology Scholar Award.

Barry Lentz inducted as an honorary member of the Frank Porter Graham Honor Society

Congratulations to Barry Lentz who was inducted into the Frank Porter Honor Society.

Swanstrom elected as Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology

Congratulations to Dr. Ron Swanstrom, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics for his selection as a 2014 American Academy of Microbiology Fellow.

Lentz and Majumder podcast about FRET

Lentz Lab members create a podcast for the Biochemical Journal to discuss their recent paper “Phosphatidylserine and FVa regulate FXa structure”

Wolfgang Bergmeier becomes associate professor with tenure.

Congratulations to Wolfgang Bergmeier, associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics who received tenure as a UNC faculty effective March 1, 2014.

UNC scientists reveal how cells destroy RNA, a key to understanding disease

Findings from the lab of William Marzluff, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics provides insight into how genetic diseases, such as various cancers, develop in the body.

Swanstrom named Charles J. Postelle Distinguished Professor

Congratulations to Ron Swanstrom, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who was named the Charles J. Postelle Distinguished Professor effective March 1, 2014.

Dokholyan named Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor

Congratulations to Nikolay Dokholyan, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who was named a Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor effective March 1, 2014.

Sancar lab manuscript selected as “Paper of the Week” by JBC

The paper titled “Mechanism of Photosignaling by Drosophila Cryptochrome: Role of the Redox Status of the Flavin Chromophore” appears in the February 21, 2014 print edition of The Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Vaziri and Janzen receive NIH grant to make chemotherapy drugs more effective

A team led by Cyrus Vaziri and William Janzen at UNC have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for research that could help make chemotherapy drugs more effective.

Brian Strahl featured in a video about the history of epigenetics.

Brian Strahl, associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics is featured in a video about the history of epigenetics in GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News). The video titled, Epigenetics: A Timeline, spans 130 years of research.

Wolfgang Bergmeier earns American Heart Association award!

Congratulations to Wolfgang Bergmeier who received an AHA award to study the role of blood platelets in inflammation and injury.

Hermans & Lentz author new book “Equilibria and Kinetics of Biological Macromolecules”

Drs. Jan Hermans and Barry Lentz have published a new textbook that progressively builds a deep understanding of macromolecular behavior.

A powerful technique to further understanding of RNA

In a paper published by JACS, Qi Zhang, an assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics and member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his team have revealed his newest weapon – a powerful technique to visualize the shape and motion of RNA at the atomic level using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Carter lab news one of the top ten stories in 2013

Congratulations to Dr. Charlie Carter, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, whose publication in the September 13th issue of Journal of Biological Chemistry was selected as one of UNC School of Medicine’s top ten stories of the year.

Bergmeier receives Established Investigator Award from AHA

Congratulations to Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics for receiving an Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association for research on “The Platelet Signaling in Inflammation and Autoimmunity”.

Our rank as 4th nationally in NIH funding holds in 2013!

In keeping with last year’s ranking, the Department continues to rank fourth among all Biochemistry departments in the US.

ASBMB Today highlights Henrik Dohlman as a new JBC associate editor

Learn more about Henrik Dohlman, professor and vice chair of biochemistry and biophysics, from his profile highlight in ASBMB Today’s December 2013 issue.

Sharon Campbell organizes the ASBMB Special Symposia Series to be held July 2014

Learn more about the event “Translating the Biophysics of Molecular Switches: Signaling Mechanisms and Inhibition of Ras and Rho GTPases”

New findings from the Carter lab challenge assumptions about origins of life

Dr. Charles Carter, Jr., Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics resurrect “molecular fossils” to conduct experiments that undercut the predominant scientific theory of how life began on Earth.

Conquering Chromatin

Congratulations to Greg Wang, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who was awarded a Jefferson Pilot Fellowship from UNC School of Medicine to further his research mission searching for better ways to shut down cancer cells.

Calcium key to ‘legless’ bacteria

The team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that a single atom—a calcium, in fact—can control how bacteria walk.

Cook named Associate Dean for Graduate Education

Congratulations to Dr. Jeanette Cook, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who assumed her new administrative role on Sept. 15, 2013.

UNC researchers find promising new angle for drugs to prevent stroke and heart attack

A new study in the Parise lab — the first to apply a new screening technique to human platelets — netted a potential drug target for preventing dangerous blood clots in high-risk people.

UNC researchers identify cellular distress signal

Researchers from the Dohlman lab have discovered that a well-known associate of G protein-coupled receptors — a common target of FDA-approved drugs — may play a critical role in mounting a rescue effort to avert an intracellular meltdown.

NIH and UNC Researchers Define Role of Protein Vinculin in Cell Movement

Researchers at UNC and NIH have defined the role of the protein vinculin in enabling cell movement in a paper published in the JCB,

Bergmeier receives the BACH Investigator Recognition Award from ISTH

Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier is the recipient of the Investigator Recognition Award at the 16th Biennial Awards for Contributions to Haemostasis (BACH) from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).

Parise elected as the Federal Issues Subcommittee chair for the PAAC of ASBMB

Congratulations to Dr. Leslie Parise, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who has been elected as chair of the Federal Issues Subcommittee of Public Affairs Advisory Committee for ASBMB.

Researchers in the Strahl lab identify another piece of the “histone code” puzzle

New research from the lab of Dr. Brian Strahl, associate professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has shown how a protein called UHRF1 “reads” the histone code in a specific way to perform an important cellular function.

Dohlman selected as JBC associate editor

Congratulations to Dr. Henrik Dohlman who will become an Associate Editor of Journal of Biological Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal, effective July 2013 for a five-year term.

UNC researchers engineer ‘protein switch’ to dissect role of cancer’s key players

In the first application of this approach, the UNC researchers showed how a protein called Src kinase influences the way cells extend and move, a previously unknown role that is consistent with the protein’s ties to tumor progression and metastasis.

Kuhlman Promoted to Full Professor

Congratulations to Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty Brian Kuhlman who was promoted from associate professor to full professor effective March 1, 2013.

UNC scientists awarded $1 million to develop new tools to study the protein methylome

Three scientists at the UNC-CH (Marcey Waters, Brian Strahl, Xian Chen) have received a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation’s Medical Research Program to study a widespread but largely unexplored phenomenon that may be implicated in many diseases, including cancer.

Zhang awarded March of Dimes Starter Scholar award

Congratulations to Dr. Qi Zhang, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who has received the 2013 Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes Foundation.

New mechanism for cancer progression discovered by UNC and Harvard researchers

The protein Ras plays an important role in cellular growth control. Researchers have focused on the protein because mutations in its gene are found in more than 30 percent of all cancers, making it the most prevalent human oncogene.

Wang discovers information from outside the genome influences stem cell differentiation, cancer development

Research from the Wang and Strahl labs has shed new light on how epigenetic signals may function together to determine the ultimate fate of a stem cell.

Charles Carter elected as 2012 AAAS Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Charles Carter, Jr., Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who was elected as a 2012 AAAS fellow.

Nikolay Dokholyan elected as a 2012 American Physical Society Fellow

Congratulations to Nikolay Dokholyan, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, for his election as a 2012 APS Fellow.

Scientists in the Strahl lab find missing link between players in the epigenetic code

Sept. 30, 2012 – New research from the Strahl lab has established the first link between the two most fundamental epigenetic tags — histone modification and DNA methylation — in humans.

Rinku Majumder has the cover article in the October 2012 issue of ATVB

A schematic from Dr. Majumder’s paper “Inhibition of Intrinsic Xase by Protein S – A Novel, Regulatory role of Protein S Independent of Activated Protein C” in the October 2012 issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology has been chosen as the cover image.

Cell death mystery yields new suspect for cancer drug development

Sept 13, 2013 – Discovery by UNC researchers in the Parise lab uncover a prime suspect for new cancer drug development. The team’s findings were published in the journal Oncogene.

UNC team reports a novel DNA Damage-Dependent Tumor Suppressor

Life is full of choices, and even cells come to a fork in the road. They have to decide what to do about damage to their DNA: repair the damage, force the damaged cell to die, or allow the damage to transform the cell to a tumor cell. Read more on the work from the Xian Chen lab in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics that was published in Cell Death & Disease.

Crews selected to serve on NIH Study Section

Dr. Stephen T. Crews, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the Neurogenesis and Cell Fate Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for the term beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2018. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.

Saskia Neher selected as a 2012 Pew Scholar

Congratulations to Dr. Saskia Neher, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics who is the eleventh Pew Scholar recipient for UNC since the program began in 1985. She is one of 8 women among 22 awardees overall nationwide.

Stephen Chaney receives AOE Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Dr. Stephen Chaney, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who received the Academy of Educator’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Medical Teaching.

DNA replication protein also has a role in mitosis, cancer

Cook lab researchers publish a paper in Nature Cell Biology. The finding presents a possible explanation for why so many cancers possess not just genomic instability, but also more or less than the usual 46 DNA-containing chromosomes.

Dan Isom receives a URC research grant and James Moeser Award for Distinguished Research

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Isom, Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who is the recipient of the University Research Council’s 2012 James Moeser Award for Distinguished Research.

Lucia Stefanini receives a URC research award

Congratulations to Dr. Lucia Stefanini, Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who is a recipient of a University Research Council research grant award

Jean Cook elected as a Fellow to UNC Academy of Educators

Congratulations to Dr. Jean Cook, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who was recently elected as a Fellow to the 2012 UNC Academy of Educators in recognition of her outstanding teaching efforts at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Mary Napier receives a Massey Award for Distinguished Service

Congratulations to Dr. Mary Napier, Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who is a recipient of a 2012 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award.

Three-dimensional RNA modeling opens scientific doors

Dokholyan lab researchers publish a paper in the April 16, 2012 issue of Nature Methods demonstrating the structure and function of RNA molecules and paving the way to develop targets for new therapeutics.

Open for business: UNC High Throughput Peptide Synthesis and Array Facility

Do you need peptides synthesized? Peptide antigens for antibody production? Or even specialized peptide libraries? — The UNC High Throughput Peptide Synthesis and Array Facility can help!

Leslie Parise nominated as a new Associate Editor of Blood

Congratulations to Dr. Parise who will become an Associate Editor of Blood, a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Society of Hematology, effective January 2013 for a four-year term.

Rinku Majumder receives a UNC Research Council Award

Congratulations to Dr. Rinku Majumder, Research Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who receives a UNC Junior Faculty Research Award.

Dokholyan lab featured on the cover of Structure

Dokholyan lab has a cover story in the December 7, 2011 issue of Structure. Dagliyan et al. present a rapid molecular dynamics-based approach to reveal the mechanism of protein-peptide recognition. The authors find that the peptide, rather than the protein, undergoes an induced fit, and that electrostatic interactions guide the peptide toward the binding region.

Greg Wang awarded V Foundation Scholar Award for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced this week that Greg Wang, PhD, has been awarded the Martin D. Abeloff, MD, V Scholar Award. This award goes to the research project that receives the highest rating from the V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board. Wang is the 10th V Scholar from UNC Lineberger.

Julia Brittain Selected to the Editorial Board of the World Journal of Hematology

Congratulations to Dr. Julia Brittain, Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who was recently selected to the Editorial Board for the publication World Journal of Hematology.

Yue Xiong elected as a 2011 AAAS fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Yue Xiong, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who was elected as a 2012 AAAS fellow.

Henrik Dohlman elected as a 2011 AAAS Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Henrik Dohlman, Professor & Vice-Chair of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who was elected as a 2011 AAAS fellow.

Sancar lab featured on “In This Issue” of PNAS, published on November 15, 2011

Exposure to UV radiation triggers DNA lesions that can lead to skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. Previous studies in mice have shown that levels of a protein called XPA, involved in repairing UV-induced DNA lesions, waxes and wanes with the time of day. Shobhan Gaddameedhi et al. found that the protein’s level and activity in mouse skin cells are at their lowest at 4 AM and their highest at 4PM.

National Cancer Institute-funded center to study proteins for better cancer diagnosis, treatment

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Boise State University have been named partners in one of five US centers that will use genetic data to search for proteins that are abnormally made by cancer cells. The partnerships form the new Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Sancar lab featured on the cover of JBC published on July 22, 2011

On the JBC Cover: The circadian clock is the internal timekeeping molecular system that generates a daily rhythm in an organism’s physiology and behavior.

Yi Zhang Lab identifies seventh and eighth bases of DNA

Finding published in the July 21, 2011 issue of Science shows that researchers from the UNC School of Medicine have discovered the seventh and eighth bases of DNA.

Yue Xiong receives 2011 Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award

The award, established in 2007 by the Battle Foundation of Rocky Mount, recognizes exceptional cancer research within UNC’s School of Medicine and comes with a $25,000 prize.

Barry Lentz receives Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement

This award, established by the Board of Govenors in 1997, acknowledges a lifetime of contributions to a broad range of teaching and learning, particularly mentoring beyond the classroom.

Parise elected as Public Affairs Advisory Committee Member of ASBMB

Congratulations to Dr. Leslie Parise, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who has been elected to serve on the Public Affairs Advisory Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Matt Redinbo and Jon Edwards make a spotlight in NC TraCS

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to an Antidote…A “failure” leads to success.

Combating chemical warfare with a catch-all antidote

Former Biochemistry & Biophysics doctoral student Andy Hemmert altered the structure of an enzyme so that it will destroy all known nerve agents used in chemical warfare. Now the U.S. Army is testing it.

Dohlman Lab receives two paper highlights in Science and Science Signaling

Congratulations to the Dohlman lab for their paper highlights in both Science & Science Signaling. Dr. Henrik Dohlman is Professor and Vice-Chair of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and a joint Professor of Pharmacology.

Research in Yi Zhang’s lab identifies a gene critical for heart function

It’s a gene called DOT1L, and if you don’t have enough of the DOT1L enzyme, you could be at risk for some types of heart disease. These findings by UNC researchers appear in the journal Genes and Development.

Jean Cook recieves an Academy of Educators teaching award

Congratulations to Jean Cook, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who was selected as a recipient of a 2010 Basic Science Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award by the Academy of Educators at UNC-CH School of Medicine.

Chemical tags likely to affect metabolism, cancer development

New research in the lab of Dr. Yue Xiong, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, suggest that the addition or removal of a certain type of chemical tag – called an acetyl group – onto metabolic enzymes plays a key role in how cellular metabolism is regulated.

Maness article featured on cover of Journal of Neuroscience

Congratulations to researchers in the lab of Dr. Patricia Maness, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, whose article “ALCAM Regulates Mediolateral Retinotopic Mapping in the Superior Colliculus” was featured on the cover of the December 16, 2009 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Brian Strahl presenting Hettleman Lecture on March 26, 2010

Brian Strahl, PhD HETTLEMAN LECTURES The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Chancellor Holden Thorp Invite you to attend lectures by two of our most distinguished young scholars: Winners of the 2009 Phillip & Ruth Hettleman Prizes ~for … Continued

Jean Cook Receives 2010 Jefferson-Pilot Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Jeanette Cook, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who received the 2010 Jefferson-Pilot Fellowship in Academic Medicine.

Secrets in the Salt – Jack Griffith filmed on NOVA’s scienceNOW

Congratulations to Dr. Jack Griffith, Distinguished Professor or Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry & Biophysics whose work was highlighted in a special NOVA scienceNOW video series (originally aired in July 2009).

Looking at DNA through the Electron Microscope: the work of Jack Griffith

Congratulations to Dr. Jack Griffith, Distinguished Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry & Biophysics whose work was reprinted as a classic to commemorate the centennial of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

DNA Repair Mechanisms: the Work of Aziz Sancar

Congratulations to Dr. Aziz Sancar, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics whose work was reprinted as a classic to commemorate the centennial of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

New paradigms in Ras research

Ras is a family of genes encoding small GTPases involved in cellular signal transduction. If their signals are dysregulated, Ras proteins can cause cancer. Dr. Sharon Campbell explains her lab’s research into a novel mechanism for regulation of Ras proteins by reactive free radical species.

UNC scientists win $1.6 million stimulus award to accelerate decoding of human genome

Thursday, October 15, 2009 — Dr. Xian Chen, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who along with Dr. Morgan Giddings, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology have been awarded a $1.6 million 2-year “Grand Opportunities” (GO) grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Arrel Toews invited as the 2009 Whitehead Lecturer

Dr. Arrel Toews, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics receives the honor of giving this year’s Richard H. Whitehead Lecture.

Aziz Sancar receives 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award from University of Texas, Dallas

Congratulations to Dr. Aziz Sancar, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, receives the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the University of Texas, Dallas.

Yi Zhang named as Kenan Distinguished Professor

Congratulations to Dr. Yi Zhang who has been named a Kenan Distinguished Professor effective July 1, 2009

Brian Strahl awarded the 2009 Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prize

Congratulations to Dr. Brian Strahl, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, for receiving the 2009 Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Award for Outstanding Artistic and Scholarly Achievement.

UNC study identifies genetic cause of most common form of breast cancer

Monday, May 11, 2009 — Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that defects in one tumor-suppressor gene, called p18, may override the rest, eventually leading to cancer.

Arrel Toews receives 2009 Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Congratulations to Arrel Toews, Research Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics for winning the Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the highest campus-based recognition for teaching undergraduates.

Possible drug target for obesity treatment a no-brainer

Researchers in Yi Zhang’s group in the Dept. of Biochemistry & Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill have discovered a gene that when mutated causes obesity by dampening the body’s ability to burn energy while leaving appetite unaffected.

Tinkering with the circadian clock can suppress cancer growth

Researchers in Aziz Sancar’s group in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill have shown that disruption of the circadian clock – the internal time-keeping mechanism that keeps the body running on a 24-hour cycle – can slow the progression of cancer.

UNC study supports role of circadian clock in response to chemotherapy

A new study from Aziz Sancar’s group in the Dept. of Biochemistry & Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill suggests that chemotherapy is most effective at certain times of day because that is when a particular enzyme system – one that can reverse the actions of chemotherapeutic drugs – is at its lowest levels in the body.

Without enzymes, biological reaction essential to life takes 2.3 billion years: UNC study

Dr. Richard Wolfenden, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, and member of the National Academy of Sciences, and co-author Charles Lewis, PhD publish a report in the November issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that without enzymes speeding the process, it would take 2.3 bilion years to complete vital biological transformation.

UNC scientists turn human skin cells into insulin-producing stem cells

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics have transformed cells from human skin into cells that produce insulin, the hormone used to treat diabetes.

Brian Strahl receives first ever EUREKA award from NIH

Congratulations to Dr. Brian Strahl, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, for receiving a new EUREKA award from the NIH “for exceptionally innovative research projects that could have an extraordinarily significant impact on many areas of science.”

Structure and function of photolyase and in vivo enzymology – 50th anniversary

Dr. Aziz Sancar, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has dedicated his recent Journal of Biological Chemistry publication to Dr. Claud S. Rupert, his PhD advisor. This paper signifies the 50th anniversary of the discovery of photolyase by Dr. Rupert and his colleagues, an event marking the beginning of the DNA repair field. This anniversary coincides with Dr. Rupert’s 90th birthday. Congratulations to all!

Yi Zhang receives the first Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award

Congratulations to Dr. Yi Zhang, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who was awarded the first Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award

Clumps of red and white blood cells may contribute to sickle cell disease

Research in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, by Dr. Julia Brittain, Research Assitant Professor and Dr. Leslie Parise, Professor and Chair have shown that blood from sickle cell patients also contains clumps, or aggregates, of red and white blood cells that may contribute to the blockages.

Recent Research Provides New Interpretations of the Genetic Code

Dr. Charles Carter, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, in the April issue of the Nature journal Heredity, reviews two recent papers that present new insights on the codon table and provide an alternative view on the origins of the genetic code.

Yi Zhang Ranked by Thomson Scientific in Top Ten Authors with High Impact Papers

Congratulations to Dr. Yi Zhang, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, who ranked 7th worldwide in a study performed by Thomson Scientific assessing high-impact research in molecular biology and genetics.

Arrel Toews is an Invited Lecturer for USMLE Review

Dr. Arrel Toews, Research Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has been invited by second year medical students at UNC-Chapel Hill to provide a review of Biochemistry to prepare them for their USMLE Step I exams.

Computer Simulations Point to Key Molecular Basis of Cystic Fibrosis

Dr. Nikolay Dokholyan, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified a key molecular mechanism that may account for the development of cystic fibrosis.