The interface between chemistry and biology continues to be a rewarding and dynamic area of research. The Chemistry Training Track within the Biological Chemistry Graduate Program was founded on this vision and is designed to prepare students to address emerging research opportunities at the crossroads of modern chemistry and discovery biology. Research projects focus on topics at the forefront of synthetic and mechanistic chemistry, chemical biology, and biochemistry. The program is committed to providing an educational experience that is challenging, broad-based and rigorous.
Access to the equipment and facilities required for conducting state-of-the-art biomedical research is part of the Chemistry Training Track's commitment to students.
Training is provided through a variety of experiences as listed below:
Required Courses:
Fall, First Year
3 Units: Chemical Structure and Reactivity
1.5 Units: Small Molecule Structure Elucidation
1.5 Units: Principles of Chemical Biology
1.5 Units: Advanced Problems in Reaction Mechanisms
Spring, First Year
3 Units: Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis
3 Units: Chemical Synthesis
1.5 Units: Advanced Problems in Reaction Mechanisms II
Note: Students who wish to enroll in the Chemistry Training Track are not required to take the DBS Core Course. Prospective students can include a statement in their application indicating their intention to join the Track. Students who decide to take the DBS Core Course can join the Chemistry Training Track in the Spring of their first year.
Student Seminars in Chemistry:
Each student presents one seminar on his/her own research and one seminar on a literature topic annually. Students are expected to attend this seminar series on a weekly basis.
Chemistry Evening Seminar Series:
The chemistry training track hosts a unique seminar series featuring visiting expert speakers. Students are expected to attend for credit.
Dissertation Commitee:
Students are expected to meet on a regular basis with their dissertation committee to discuss their progression toward degree.
Qualifying Exam:
Students are expected to pass their Qualifying Exam by May of their first year in the Program (second year in DBS).
For more information contact the Biological Chemistry Program Chair Kristen Lynch, the Chemistry Track Chair Joe Ready or other Program Faculty.
Program Faculty
Track Chair: Joseph Ready
Richard Auchus -- Biochemical, structural, and genetic studies of the enzymes and pathways of steroid hormone biosynthesis in human beings.
Chuo Chen -- Naturalproduct synthesis, synthetic methodology development, small molecule library synthesis and chemical biology.
David Corey -- Engineering proteins and nucleic acids for novel function.
Jef De Brabander -- Synthesis of natural products and other molecular architectures and interrogation of their mode-of-action using molecular pharmacology and biochemistry.
Douglas Frantz -- Development and discovery of practical and efficient synthetic methodologies for useful application in both medicinal and process chemistry activities in support of drug discovery and pre-clinical development of drug candidates.
Patrick Harran -- Chemical synthesis of biofunctional natural products.
Wen-Hong Li -- Intercellular communications through gap junctions; molecular engineering of fluorescent sensors for cellular imaging; wide field, confocal and multi-photon fluorescence microscopy; mechanisms and functions of cellular calcium signaling.
Thomas Kodadek -- Biochemistry of transcriptional regulation, chemical biology, proteomics.
John MacMillan -- Isolation and structural determination of biologically active natural products from marine bacteria; new methodology for stereochemical assignment; medicinal chemistry.
Joseph Ready -- Discovery and application of new chemical reactions; total synthesis of complex molecules.
Yingming Zhao -- Functional proteomics and mass spectrometry.
| Home > Education > Graduate School >
