Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Washington University’s vibrant interdisciplinary graduate research environment makes it an ideal place for training in both fundamental and applied biological sciences. Students in our program start with a common curriculum and have the flexibility to tailor their path according to their own scientific needs and interests. The Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology (BBSB) Program brings together scientists who aim to understand biological systems ranging from single molecules to whole organisms at the level of chemical transformations and molecular interactions. Our students address diverse biological questions that include host-pathogen interactions, cancer-related signaling processes, and the nature of protein dynamics. BBSB faculty on both campuses share ties with DBBS programs such as Microbiology, Immunology, and Plant and Microbial Biosciences.

Areas of Study: DNA repair, replication and recombination; Allostery and enzymology; Molecular signaling; Molecular interactions in infection pathogenesis; New imaging technologies; Amyloidogenesis and mechanisms of neural degeneration; Cell cycle regulation; Nucleic acid-protein interactions; Computational biophysics, nanotechnology and chemical biology; Cellular transport and trafficking

Research Approaches: Mass spectrometry; X-ray crystallography; Cryo-electron microscopy; Solution and solid state NMR; Synthetic chemistry; Computational modeling; Thermodynamic analysis; Kinetic analysis; Single-molecule imaging and dynamics; Model organisms; Molecular screening