STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY and
BIOCHEMISTRY

Structural Biology and Biochemistry Faculty and Research Interests

Northwestern Drug Discovery Program

Faculty and students in the Structural Biology & Biochemistry curriculum investigate the structural bases of biological function. Emphasis is placed on applying the latest techniques in physical biochemistry to biologically interesting problems. Techniques include x-ray crystallography, molecular docking, plasmon resonance, calorimetry, and a host of spectroscopic methods. The research naturally leads to shared equipment and collaborative projects, both at the Medical School and with colleagues on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston. The Keck Biophysics Laboratory, a university-wide facility that hosts $1.6 million of state-of the-art biophysics equipment, is widely used.

Program of Study

Modern concepts and approaches in biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology and genetics are introduced through the IGP core courses. SBB students also take the Macromolecular Structure & Function course, and often also take the Receptors and Signaling, the Molecular Bases of Drug Action, and the Advanced Topics in Drug Discovery courses. SBB students participate in several journal clubs including: Macromolecular Structure & Function (monthly), Biophysics Research Talks (twice-monthly),and Drug Discovery Program Research Talks (monthly).
In addition to the campus-wide seminar series, students in SBB also attend monthly seminar series that attract national and international speakers. These include: Biophysics Seminar Series, Drug Discovery Program Seminar Series, and Molecular Pharmacology & Biological Chemistry Seminar Series.
Students also have access to NIH-sponsored (T32) training grants, including one in Drug Discovery.