Postdoc/Scholars News Archives | Biochemistry and Biophysics

Led by Qi Zhang, PhD, and Robert McGinty, MD, PhD, UNC-Chapel Hill scientists used cryo-electron microscopy technology to produce the first-ever high-resolution structure of the protein cGAS bound to the DNA packaging unit inside human cell nuclei, revealing how cGAS responds to foreign or damaged DNA, but not the body’s healthy DNA.

Please read an update on the ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts within the UNC School of Medicine. Faculty are also encouraged to consult your department's diversity liaisons who are excellent sources for updates and progress regarding this ongoing work.

The UNC-Chapel Hill COVID-19 Dashboard helps us track and analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the overall health of our campus community and our ability to appropriately respond to change during these unprecedented times.

office of university diversity and inclusion message banner

Special Advisor to the Provost & Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion/ Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Sibby Anderson-Thompkins, and Senior Director of Education, Operations and Initiatives, Gretchen C. Bellamy, have prepared a message that addresses the continuing racial atrocities against Black people that are occurring across the country. The cumulative impact on the mental, emotional and physical well-being of Black, Indigenous and People of Color is profound. Over the course of the next few months, the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion will continue to drive efforts to challenge systemic racism and support collective healing. Click below for the entirety of the message and details about these efforts.

old well in summer with lady walking a dog

Carolina also ranked in the top 20 for 11 academic subject areas according to the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy on August 15.

The UNC System Hotline is a tool anyone at any institution can use to file a complaint outlining alleged misconduct. Employees are encouraged to report any matter that could harm the UNC System’s reputation and operational efficiency, including noncompliance with laws, rules, regulations...

Congratulations to Dr. Wentao Li on his new Assistant Professor position with the Department of Environmental Health Science at University of Georgia.

postdoc Dr. Yanqiong Zhang in Liu lab, Dr. Zhe Ma in Damania lab and a BBSP student Ying Wang

Hyperactivation of innate immunity results in autoimmune diseases, while deficiency in innate immunity is prone to tumorigenesis. Thus, the activity of innate immune signaling is tightly controlled but the regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Recently, the labs of Liu and Damania published a study in iScience revealing a role of the bacterial protein streptavidin in binding and facilitating cGAS activation.

It is known that the three-dimensional organization of the genome within the nucleus is important for proper gene expression and ultimately development. The mechanisms behind this organization, however, are not yet fully understood. Recently, the lab of Jill Dowen, PhD, published a study in Epigenetics & Chromatin solving a piece of this complex puzzle.

Carolina is pausing all undergraduate instruction on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 to help students catch their breath and make the transition to remote learning. Undergraduate classes will resume Aug. 26

Tag: Postdoc/Scholars News

Researchers Reveal Safeguarding of a Key DNA Sensor in the Innate Immune System

UNC SOM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update

UNC-CHAPEL HILL COVID-19 DASHBOARD

Message from UODI: Jacob Blake and Racial Trauma

UNC-Chapel Hill ranked 30th in 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities

Hotline Makes it Easy for Employees to Voice Concerns (UNC System News)

Wentao Li accepts faculty position at University of Georgia

Liu and Damania Labs identified new proteins controlling cGAS activation

Dowen lab untangles another part of the 3D genome

University leaders announce important academic updates