Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Chair
Vice Chair
As one of the first departments of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the nation, we are proud of our strong tradition of combining cutting-edge technology with impactful biology. We continue to leverage this interdisciplinary approach to yield break-through discoveries in biomedicine.
Our faculty of over 30 primary and secondary members cover a broad range of research areas, with particular strengths in structural biology, chemical biology, gene regulation and protein folding.
We are also the proud home of the Eldridge Reeves Johnson Research Foundation which offers advanced physical instrumentation and instruction to researchers across campus.
We are actively growing, with several recent hires, and our faculty are broadly engaged across campus with many joint appointments in other departments, institutes and centers.
We welcome you to learn more about our department in the following pages or contact us.
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
and Graduate Group in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics
Dr. George W. Raiziss 36th ANNUAL RETREAT
December 5 & 6, 2019
Skytop Lodge, Pocono Mountains
News & Publications
- Chang Named 2019 Packard Fellow
October 2019
Congratulations to Yi-Wei Chang for receiving the 2019 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering. - Murakami Lab and Wilusz Lab in PNAS
October 2019
The capping enzyme facilitates promoter escape and assembly of a follow-on preinitiation complex for reinitiation - Moiseenkova-Bell Lab in eLife
September 2019
Molecular mechanism of TRPV2 channel modulation by cannabidiol - Garcia Lab in Scientific Reports
September 2019
A mass spectrometry-based assay using metabolic labeling to rapidly monitor chromatin accessibility of modified histone proteins
Seminars & Events
- Raiziss Rounds Seminar | Wendy Gilbert, PhD
Thurs, October 24 • 12 noon | JF Library, Anatomy-Chemistry Bldg, 2nd Floor
New functions for ancient RNA modifying enzymes in health and disease - Special Structure Talk | Katarzyna Marcinkiewicz, Ph.D.
Fri, October 25 • 12 noon | JF Library, Anatomy-Chemistry Bldg, 2nd Floor
Nature Research Editorial Process, Explained - Friday Research Discussions | Sellmyer Lab
Fri, October 25 • 3:30 | JF Library, Anatomy Chemistry Bldg, 2nd Floor
Molecular tools for in vivo imaging, from animals to patients
Faculty Spotlight
Franz M. Matschinsky MD
Franz M. Matschinsky MD, now on the way to retirement in 2021, continues to collaborate with a group of colleagues here at Penn and other institutions in the US and abroad. His efforts are focused on unraveling the molecular and physiological basis of glucose homeostasis in health and its defects in disease with particular emphasis on role of the glucose phosphorylating enzyme glucokinase (GK). GK functions as the glucose sensing element of cells in the pancreas, liver, gut, pituitary and some neurons to regulate fuel homeostasis. Over 600 inhibitory and activating mutations have been discovered in GK in humans. Allosteric GK activator molecules are currently being assessed for their therapeutic potential in type II diabetics.
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