Postdoctoral fellow in Bergmeier lab, Alexei Martyanov PhD, Receives a Prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship from American Heart Association (AHA).

text " Carolina now one of the top 10 largest research institutions in the U.S." image of old well and South building in the fall

UNC-Chapel Hill has grown research activity by $190M, pushing the University into the top 10 research institutions in the U.S. by volume and annual expenditures. $1.55 billion in annual research activity (up from $1.36 billion)

Our group conducts research on histones, which have short, protruding protein “tails.” Chemical modifications placed on these tails play key roles in gene regulation. The location of histone H3 lysine-4 is indicated with a green star.

Congrats to our researchers on their significant new publication in *Genes and Development*! Their study reveals how a chemical modification to lysine 4 of the protein histone H3 . promotes target gene expression. The research has large implications for cancer. Congrats to: Venkat Chirasani, Krzysztof Krajewski, Brian Strahl, Jill Dowen!

Ryan (left) and Brandon Mouery (right) have always been together, including now at Carolina’s cancer center where they study ways to improve pancreatic cancer treatments. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Read more at: Twins team up on cancer research By Brennan Doherty, University Communications, Monday, December 2nd, 2024

A research team in the Departments of Biology, Biochemistry, and Genetics, has identified a key focal point in the biological processes that control cell identity and can lead to disease when mutated. (Congrats to Venkat R. Chirasani, Krzysztof Krajewski, Brian D. Strahl, Jill M. Dowen, and all authors). Publication in Genes and Development, "Evidence for dual roles of histone H3 lysine 4 in antagonizing Polycomb group function and promoting target gene expression."

Research (by Xian Chen and Ling Xie and all authors) has unveiled a crucial role for a protein called PDAP1 in hepatitis A virus infection of the liver. Details of the new discovery were published in Science Advances.

Sourav Kumar Patra in white lab coat with lab bench in the background

Dr. Sourav Kumar Patra is a postdoctoral researcher in the Carter lab. He studies the emergence and evolution of genetic coding and protein translation machinery and, more specifically, characterizes variants of a crucial enzyme for protein synthesis called aminoacyl tRNA synthetase.

Robert H. Lee PhD Research Assistant Professor won Best Oral Presentation award at the 19th International Symposium on Blood Substitutes for his talk entitled “Interpretation of platelet signaling defects in Thromboelastography” This conference was held November 14-18, 2024 at the Gaylord National Harbor, a spectacular venue on the Potomac river immediately adjacent to Washington, DC, with views of the Washington Monument.

The Microbiology Society has awarded a Prize in 2025 to Dr. Nikea Pittman and her colleagues for their outstanding contributions in the field...

KC Copper at the Puttery in Charlotte, NC. A place to play putt putt while enjoying a mixed drink or food.

Meet KC Cooper, research technician. Her work is focused on cGAS-like enzymes in prokaryotes and their role in anti-phage defense in the Jenson lab.

text "BCBP Equipment committee awarded $40K for anew autoclave! Leiah Carey and Jesse Arp, equipment committee co-chairs" images of fireworks and photo of Leiah Carey PhD

Special thanks to our Equipment Committee co-chairs: Leiah Carey PhD, Research Associate in the Campbell lab and Jesse Arp, Accountant for all their hard work to get this award for the UNC biochemistry and biophysics department.

We remain one of the most hashtag#NIH-funded hashtag#biochemistry programs in the nation, according to the most recent Blue Ridge Institute rankings. We are proud of all our hashtag#research teams for their hard work and accomplishments! Since our founding in 1935, we are proud to have contributed important scientific advances, and we routinely rank among the top departments in the field. In 2023 we ranked 5th overall for NIH funding and 4th for public institutions.

Tag: Faculty & Lab News

Congratulations to Alexei Martyanov PhD for being awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship from AHA

Carolina ranks 9th among all top U.S. research institutions

Disruption of one protein could lead to cancer

Cook lab alum in UNC News: Brandon Mouery PhD

UNC Scientists Discover New Details of Gene Regulation

New Publication in Science Advances: Scientists Implicate a Novel Cellular Protein in Hepatitis A Infection

Carter lab postdoc Sourav Kumar Patra highlighted in UNC Research Stories

Dr. Robert Lee won Best Oral Presentation Award

Dr. Nikea Pittman and Colleagues Receive International Recognition by Microbiology Society

Welcome Research staff KC Cooper to BCBP and Jenson lab

BCBP Equipment Committee Awarded $40K for a new autoclave!

UNC Biochemistry and Biophysics NIH Funding Ranks 4th among Public Universities