
Xinyun (Sherry) Cao, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of biochemistry professor Robert Landick, was awarded a Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) from the NIH.
The initial award (K99) provides up to two years of mentored, postdoctoral support. The second phase (R00) provides up to three years of independent research support and is activated when the awardee accepts a full-time tenure track (or equivalent) faculty position. Cao’s K99/R00 is focused on understanding how Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) transcribes its DNA code into RNA using a multi-subunit protein called...

Biochemistry professor Mike Sussman is the first recipient of the Salm-Bray Distinguished Chair in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). This chair recognizes and rewards a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional cross-disciplinary scholarship and collaboration in human or animal health, and who advances agricultural and life sciences through identification and development of novel biotherapeutic compounds.

Legislative staff to members of Congress from the Wisconsin delegation toured UW–Madison last week, including a stop at the Department of Biochemistry’s cryo-electron microscopy research centers, where they learned how this advanced biomolecular imaging technology can be used in basic and translational science.

Glenda Gillaspy’s first day as the new dean of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences was Aug. 4. In this Q&A, Gillapsy talks about some of her initial tasks as CALS dean and goals for the college. She also shares details about her research program, her hobbies and more.

Less than a decade ago, UW researchers began to gather and assemble the components of a powerful, advanced imaging technology called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) that would allow them to observe the structures of some of the tiniest building blocks of life. In 2021, they realized their vision as the Department of Biochemistry launched the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center (CEMRC).
Contributions for the $17.5 million project came from across campus, including the Department of Biochemistry, Morgridge Institute for Research, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and...

UW-Madison researchers find an enzyme that copies DNA at the ends of chromosomes, when in cahoots with a protein partner, works in a single shape, rather than multiple configurations as previously believed. Their discovery helps us better understand how cells replicate DNA.

Biochemistry professor Chad Rienstra was named the 2022 Vaughan Lecturer at the 61st Annual Rocky Mountain Conference on Magnetic Resonance. The Vaughan Lecture Series is named after Robert W. Vaughan, a professor of chemical engineering and a leader in the field of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Congratulations, Professor Rienstra!
Read more here.

New computer model accurately predicts behavior of millions of microbial communities from hundreds of experiments, an advance toward precision medicine.

Recent biochemistry undergraduate Alejandro Oñate received the College of Letters & Science Dean's Prize, one of the College's highest academic honors.

James Ntambi promotes health education in East Africa — from rural villages to university labs. Read this story in ASBMB Today.

At the Steenbock Symposium on June 7 and 8, 2022, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Biochemistry opened its doors in celebration of two new research centers that bring to campus advanced biomolecular imaging technology called cryo-electron microscopy.
To view this Photo Gallery story, visit the UW News website.

The most commonly used clinical tests don't accurately predict risk of diabetes and heart disease in people of color. Professor Judi Simcox and two students in her lab are featured in this ACS Central Science story by C&EN freelance science journalist Jyoti Madhusoodanan.

Postdoctoral researcher Freeman Lan has received a 2022 Career Award at the Scientific Interfaces distributed by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF). Lan works in the Venturelli Lab.

The Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) announced its 2022 awards that celebrate teaching and mentoring. The awards were given out at the IPiB Summer Reception on Wednesday, June 1.

Eighteen undergraduate students in the Department of Biochemistry have received 2022 campus awards for research and scholarly excellence. The students are a mix of talented biochemistry majors and students who perform research in laboratories run by biochemistry faculty.