An NIH grant awarded to biochemistry professor Mike Cox and biomolecular chemistry professor James Keck will enable the groups to collaborate to study the creation and repair of DNA gaps, further pushing their research and opportunities available to their students.
Research
Interstellar biological experiments could aid human space travel
If humans are to live in outer space for years at a time, it’s important to understand how the microbes in and on their bodies are affected by space conditions. Humans have trouble performing the most basic tasks when in space thanks to microgravity and they must wear protective gear to safeguard them from the interstellar radiation. But how do microbes experience these effects that aren’t present on Earth?
Peering into a more ‘human’ petri dish
Cell culture media, the cocktail of chemicals and nutrients that keep cells alive and thriving in a dish, have been an essential tool of biology for more than 70 years. Jason Cantor is thinking about cell culture media from another angle: Can we make it more human?
Biochemistry affiliate works to develop new bioengineering strategy
Andrew Buller, professor of chemistry at UW-Madison and affiliate of the Department of Biochemistry, is working to develop methods to create new protein building blocks in living systems. This chemical research, recently recognized with a $2.2 million grant from NIH, could make these processes more affordable for and accessible to scientists with expertise in other backgrounds.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin takes in ‘locally sourced science’ at Pagliarini Lab in Morgridge Institute
Forward-thinking science and childhood memories came full circle on Wednesday for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who visited a lab at the Morgridge Institute for Research that is carrying on the inspired legacy of her grandfather, David E. Green.
Woonghee Lee of Markley Lab earns grant to improve NMR computation
Woonghee Lee in the lab of biochemistry professor John Markley plans to improve data analysis for the burgeoning technique of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation. Lee’s work will entail a long list of software development. He and his group will develop, test, perfect, and release a full automation and visualization system.
Hoskins earns grant to study splicing inhibitors, connection to cancer
With a grant from the Edward P. Evans Foundation, biochemistry associate professor Aaron Hoskins is searching for new treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes — a type of blood cancer — by being able to screen for RNA splicing inhibitors using “humanized” yeast.
Major microscopy project coming to life with new talent, technology additions
The UW–Madison effort to launch a shared cryo-electron microscopy facility for the bioscience community is gathering momentum, with two new faculty hires and key technology investments this summer.
New Biochemistry Optical Core manager joins department as campus resource
A new manager joins the Biochemistry Optical Core. The BOC is a resource for all campus researchers using microscopy.
Screen using blood-based fingerprints for colon cancer shows promise
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have identified blood-based fingerprints – human protein markers – associated with the pre-cancerous forms of colon cancer that are most likely to develop into disease. They say their findings are a promising start to what could ultimately lead to a new blood test for the cancer.