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College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
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      • B.S. Biochemistry
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Student in a white lab coat and blue gloves examines plants closely

Research in Biochemistry and Biophysics

Research Areas

Our scientists explore diverse scientific problems across the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, molecular biology, and genomics. Researchers in the department are pioneering advancements in fields such as enzymology, molecular modeling, and biophysical spectroscopy, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of biological processes. Projects in areas like drug development, personalized medicine, and biotechnology hold immense potential for transforming healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Additionally, studies focused on environmental biophysics and molecular ecology contribute to our understanding of ecological systems and have implications for sustainable practices.

Browse Research-Active Faculty
Browse Collaborative Research Resources

Drug Discovery and Therapeutics

Drug Discovery and Therapeutics researchers study human and animal diseases with the purpose of screening, developing, and testing drugs, therapeutics, and vaccines against the infectious agents causing disease.

Faculty in Drug Discovery and Therapeutics

  • Jae-Hyun Cho
  • Jorge Cruz-Reyes
  • Vishal Gohil
  • Wenshe Liu
  • Thomas Meek
  • Jean-Philippe Pellois
  • Vladislav Panin
  • James Sacchettini
  • Stephen Safe
  • Xuewu Sui
  • Josh Wand
  • Ry Young
  • Junjie Zhang
Drug Discovery 3D model

Enzymology

Enzymology research explores the fundamental chemistry of life, the enzymes that control it, and how biological systems can be manipulated in novel ways using small molecules and unique chemistries.

Faculty in Enzymology

  • Jae-Hyun Cho
  • Tim Devarenne
  • Margaret Glasner
  • Paul Lindahl
  • Wenshe Liu
  • Thomas Meek
  • Vladislav Panin
  • Jean-Philippe Pellois
  • Frank Raushel
  • Hays Rye
  • James Sacchettini
  • Paul Straight
  • Cecilia Tommos
  • Josh Wand
Enzymology

Gene Structure and Regulation

Gene Structure and Regulation studies of gene structure and regulation using a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches.

Faculty in Gene Structure and Regulation

  • Mary Bryk
  • Jorge Cruz-Reyes
  • Wenshe Liu
  • John Mullet
  • Vladislav Panin
  • William Park
  • Michael Polymenis
  • Dorothy Shippen
  • Sing-Hoi Sze
  • Xiuren Zhang
Gene Structure 3D model

Membrane Transport, Structure, and Function

Membrane Transport, Structure, and Function research explores the physical, chemical and biological properties of membranes and their lipid, protein and carbohydrate constituents.

Faculty in Membrane Transport, Structure, and Function

  • Vytas Bankaitis
  • Robert Chapkin
  • Vishal Gohil
  • Tatyana Igumenova
  • Vladislav Panin
  • Jean-Philippe Pellois
  • Michael Polymenis
  • Hays Rye
  • Josh Wand
Membrane structural model

Metabolism

Metabolism research examines the organizational and dynamic properties of life at the scale of a living cell, including how networks of chemical interconversion within a cell create the energy and molecules needed for life.

Faculty in Metabolism

  • Vytas Bankaitis
  • Robert Chapkin
  • Tim Devarenne
  • Vishal Gohil
  • Jennifer Herman
  • Paul Lindahl
  • Vladislav Panin
  • William Park
  • Michael Polymenis
  • Frank Raushel
  • James Sacchettini
  • Paul Straight
  • Xuewu Sui
Metabolism model

Microorganisms and Phage

Research in Microorganisms and Phage studies the fundamental biology and therapeutic applications of single-celled organisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa and some of the important viruses that prey upon them.

Faculty in Microorganisms and Phage

  • Robert Chapkin
  • Jennifer Herman
  • Frank Raushel
  • James Sacchettini
  • Paul Straight
  • Ry Young
  • Lanying Zeng
  • Junjie Zhang
Phage model

Plant Biochemistry and Genetics

Research in Plant Biochemistry and Genetics examines the fundamental molecular, cellular and organismal biology of photosynthetic organisms, including how they can be engineered for important applications like biofuel production.

Faculty in Plant Biochemistry and Genetics

  • Tim Devarenne
  • Dmitry Kurouski
  • John Mullet
  • William Park
  • Dorothy Shippen
  • Xiuren Zhang
Plant cells under a microscope

Quantitative and Computational Biochemistry

Quantitative and Computational Biochemistry research employs mathematically rich approaches to the investigation and modeling of biological systems, often involving the use of biophysics, computation, informatics, simulation and big data analytics.

Faculty in Quantitative and Computational Biochemistry

  • Vytas Bankaitis
  • Margaret Glasner
  • Tatyana Igumenova
  • Josh Wand
  • Paul Lindahl
  • Sing-Hoi Sze
  • Lanying Zeng
Model of DNA with binary code

Structural Biology

Structural Biology explores the fundamental construction and dynamics of biological macromolecules and how these structures and their movements help create life.

Faculty in Structural Biology

  • Jae-Hyun Cho
  • Tatyana Igumenova
  • Dmitry Kurouski
  • Pingwei Li
  • Frank Raushel
  • Hays Rye
  • James Sacchettini
  • Cecilia Tommos
  • Josh Wand
  • Junjie Zhang
Structural biology 3D model
Student in a lab coat tinkering on lab equipment

Recent Publications

  • Nano-Infrared Detection and Identification of Bacteria at the Single-Cell Level.
  • Intramolecular epistasis correlates with divergence of specificity in promiscuous and bifunctional NSAR/OSBS enzymes.
  • The role of phospholipid saturation and composition in -synuclein aggregation and toxicity: A dual in vitro and in vivo approach.
  • Editorial Expression of Concern: Identification of oncogenic microRNA-17-92/ZBTB4/specificity protein axis in breast cancer.
Three female students preparing petri dishes in a lab

Student Research

Our undergraduate students are provided with a wide-range of research opportunities that will enhance their academic experience. Students will work with faculty members as they work to create knowledge, develop critical thinking and refine their problem-solving skills.

Student Research
Researcher in a white coat pipetting a substance into a beaker

Postdoctoral Research

Graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics will have the opportunity to take part in research opportunities consistent with their educational passion. Students will pair with our world-class faculty to address the needs and challenges of the industry.

Postdoctoral Research

Biochemistry and Biophysics Research in the News

  • The Laboratory of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (LBSD) is pleased to invite you to a CryoEM Symposium on May 15, 2025, hosted in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

    May 6, 2025
  • Congratulations to Dr. Pozzi for receiving The Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching

    May 6, 2025
  • Professor Receives Chancellor’s Innovation Award for Breakthrough in Copper Metabolism Therapy

    May 6, 2025

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is the state’s premiere research agency in agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences. Through Texas A&M AgriLife Research, we conduct hundreds of projects spanning many scientific disciplines to deliver life-sustaining and industry-changing impacts to citizens throughout Texas and around the world. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained volunteers, and county offices. With a vast network of 250 county Extension offices and some 900 professional educators, the expertise provided by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service reaches into every Texas county to address local priority needs. We value people, programs and partnerships.

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300 Olsen Blvd. College Station, Tx 77843-2128
(979) 845-5032
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

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