Biological Chemistry Research
A biochemistry researcher examines a specimen in the lab

Asking and Answering Fundamental Questions

We explore biological phenomena at the molecular and mechanistic levels to make discoveries about life and health.

Understanding the Foundations of Life

Scientists in the Department of Biological Chemistry integrate many technologies and approaches to study the molecular processes that are the foundation for life and health. Research projects can be grouped into the four broad areas of Biochemical Signaling, Macromolecular Structure & Mechanism, Protein Processing & Folding and Regulation of Gene Expression.

Close ties and cross-appointments with the Life Sciences Institute, the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, the Chemical Biology Program, the LSA departments of Biology, Biophysics, and Chemistry, as well as fellow Medical School departments, position Biological Chemistry at the center of a strong and diverse biochemical community at the University of Michigan.

Our interdisciplinary research into the molecular mechanisms of life offers a wide variety of investigative opportunities to students, fellows, and scientific collaborators.

Research Areas
man using pipette in laboratory
Biochemical Signaling

Probe how cells respond to changes in their environment.

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man in labradory pouring liquid into a tank
Macromolecular Structure & Mechanism

Focus in on how biological macromolecules function at the molecular and atomic level.

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woman in a laboratory is leaned over while operating a microscope
Protein Processing & Folding

Understanding the folding, translocation, and processing of proteins is integral to modern molecular and cell biology.

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students in a lab working and wearing latex gloves
Regulation of Gene Expression

Use and develop groundbreaking research techniques to uncover the mechanisms that govern gene expression.

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Meet our laboratory researchers
suzanne admiraal Suzanne Admiraal, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Patrick O'Brien Lab
sojin an Sojin An, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Uhn-Soo Cho Lab
Catherine baker Catherine Baker
Research Lab Specialist
James Morrissey Lab
Michael Baldwin Michael Baldwin
Research Lab Specialist
Patrick O'Brien Lab
Brittney bowman Brittany Bowman, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Chase Weidmann Lab
jue chen Jue (Amy) Chen
Research Lab Technician
Yan Zhang Lab
Daniel esckilsen Daniel Esckilsen
Research Lab Specialist
Stephen Ragsdale Lab
user Jean-Marc Fontaine, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Raymond Trievel Lab
Rachel hemp Rachel Hemp
Research Lab Specialist
James Morrissey Lab
rebecca hurto Rebecca Lee Hurto, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Lydia Freddolino Lab
zhu li Zhu Li, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Ruma Banerjee Lab
gaocong lyu Gaocong Lyu
Research Lab Technician
Uhn-Soo Cho Lab
headshot of avanya-paul Lavanya Paul
Research Lab Specialist
Ryan Baldridge Lab
manolo plasencia Manolo Plasencia, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Lydia Freddolino Lab
headshot of  krishna-rengasamy Krishna Rengasamy
Research Lab Specialist
Uhn-Soo Cho Lab
Andrew shurer Andrew Shurer
Research Lab Specialist
Rachel Niederer Lab
user Sophia Taylor
Research Lab Technician
Ryan Baldridge Lab
user Kazuhiro Yamada, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Ruma Banerjee Lab
xufei zhou Xufei Zhou, PhD
Research Lab Specialist
Yan Zhang Lab
Featured News & Stories See all news
News Release
U-M researchers receive Chan Zuckerberg Initiative awards to study neurodegeneration
Six University of Michigan researchers recently received collaborative pair pilot project awards from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) to study neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease.
National Science Foundation logo
Department News
Yan Zhang, PhD, receives a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation
Assistant Professor Yan Zhang of the Department of Biological Chemistry at U-M Medical School is the recipient of an NSF CAREER award.
Schematic of Hrd1 proteoliposome immobilization
Department News
PhD student Basila Moochickal Assainar publishes a research article in Nature Communications
PhD student Basila Moochickal Assainar is the first author of a research article in Nature Communications.
cutting dna strings scientist white coat purple background
Health Lab
CRISPR off-switches: A path towards safer genome engineering?
A study from the University of Michigan Medical School developed off-switches useful for improving the safety of the Type I-C/Cas3 gene editor.
Department News
PhD student Mason Myers is a lead author of a research article in Molecular Cell
PhD student Mason Myers of the Zhang lab at U-M Medical School is a lead author of "Exploiting activation and inactivation mechanisms in type I-C CRISPR-Cas3 for genome-editing applications."
Department News
Audrey Seasholtz, PhD, retires from active faculty status
Congratulations and best wishes to Audrey Seasholtz, PhD, Professor Emerita of Biological Chemistry and Research Professor Emerita, Michigan Neuroscience Institute.