When a double stranded break occurs, both strands of DNA are cut at the same spot, much like scissors severing a braid of hair. Polymerase theta acts quickly, grabbing the two single strands of DNA, matching up the closest base pairs to the break, and holding them together.

Susanna Stroik, PhD, and Dale Ramsden, PhD have learned more about an enzyme found to be overly expressed in patients with hereditary breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer.

two research images that won art and science 2023 SOM competition Dr. Griffith and Dr. Strauss

During University Research Week, the labs of Dirk Dittmer, PhD, Jack Griffith, PhD, and Joshua Strauss, PhD with the Cryo-EM Core Facility, won the Art-in-Science Competition held by the UNC School of Medicine Office of Research.

Chen lab reports a previously unrecognized function of G9a, a histone methyltransferase, in protein-specific translation during endotoxin tolerance (ET).

Join us from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Auditorium to experience five 15-minute presentations by the recipients of the Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Scholarly Achievement. Among these presentations, one will be given by our very own Dr. Pengda Liu.

Our annual research retreat included a keynote talk by Dr. Linda Columbus from the University of Virginia. She is an expert in the biophysics of membrane proteins, particularly regarding bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. Read all our highlights.

Each year, the Postdoctoral Awards for Research Excellence (PARE) are given in recognition of the research promise demonstrated by individual postdoctoral scholars. Recipients will give their research talks during Research Week on October 27, 3 - 4 PM.

Congrats to Dr. Pengda Liu who has been awarded a 2023 Hettleman Prize for Outstanding Artistic and Scholarly Achievement. This prize is given out annually to promising faculty members who exemplify groundbreaking and innovative research along with future career promise. He studies cancer biology and the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant cell signaling events in human cancer. He is using this knowledge to develop novel anti-cancer therapies.

The Office of Research Technologies and Office of Sponsored Programs are coordinating core tours of some of our fantastic core facilities during UNC Research Week. Meet the core directors and staff, learn about new and upcoming events, view our instrumentation, and imagine how collaboration with our cores can expand your science!

Over the years, Dr. Button has climbed the academic ranks at UNC, serving as a Research Associate, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Brian Button was promoted to full professor with tenure effective September 29.

"Drawn to Explain" is international artist Amalia Pica's tribute to the discovery that happens on #UNC's campus. Learn how the Craige Parking Deck art installation features diagrams used by Tar Heels, including a Nobel Prize winner and a legendary coach.

cartoon cake with three diverse cartoon people

We congratulate Professors Stephen Crews and Sharon L. Campbell for 30 years of state service, Dale A. Ramsden for 25 years of state service, Laura Lindsey-Boltz for 20 years of state service, and Stu Parnham for 5 years of state service. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission of research, teaching and service. We are a better place because of all of you!

The Society’s Fellows Committee has named Dr. Gary Pielak a 2024 Fellow of the Biophysical Society for his scholarly and extensive biophysical studies on protein structure and dynamic, both in vitro and inside cells, with a particular emphasis on crowding.

Tag: Faculty & Lab News

Scientists Piece Together DNA Repair Pathway Implicated in Breast, Ovarian, and Prostate Cancers

Dittmer, Griffith, and Strauss Labs Win Art in Science Competition

G9a, a histone methyltransferase, found to regulate translation (Chen lab, Cell Chemical Biology)

Pengda Liu will present his Hettleman Lecture on October 24

The 2023 Biochemistry and Biophysics Research Retreat was held on October 19 at the Cookery in Durham

Congrats to Postdoc Aleksandra Skrajna in McGinty lab who earned a 2023 PARE Award

Dr. Pengda Liu awarded a 2023 Hettleman Prize

Research Week Core Tours

Congratulations to Brian Button promoted to full professor

A sculpture on campus honors Dr. Aziz Sancar Nobel Award winning research

Congratulations to Faculty for their long Service to the State

Dr. Gary Pielak named 2024 Biophysical Society Fellow