Department of Biochemistry

About Us

We welcome scientists, educators, and trainees from all backgrounds to join us in conducting biochemical research at the forefront of current knowledge; helping medical students, graduate students and fellows to reach their full potential; and serving the institution, the extended scientific community, and society at large. Our particular focus is the characterization of macromolecules and biological processes at the molecular level. Research groups in the department determine the structures of biological macromolecules, elucidate the mechanisms by which they function, and translate this information to advance research technology and medicine.

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Latest News

News

Nov 18, 2024

“We Need Everyone”: New Award Recognizes the Importance of Scientific Community

Minna Roh-Johnson's lab was awarded the National Cancer Institute's "Administrative Supplement to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship," designed for “scientists who have demonstrated compelling commitments...

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News

Nov 18, 2024

Keren Hilgendorf Awarded Philanthropic Partners Funding

Keren Hilgendorf's project, "Harnessing Lean Fat Cells to Kill Breast Cancer," was awarded funding by the U Health Philanthropic Partners Group.

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Armando Veve Illustration, NYTimes External link: (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/13/magazine/venom-animals-drugs-ozempic.html?smid=url-share)

News

Nov 16, 2024

"Nature’s ‘Swiss Army Knife’: What Can We Learn From Venom?"

Check out the Sunday Times cover story that features the groundbreaking work of Helena Safavi-Hemami’s lab (as well as others) on therapeutic advances enabled by studies of animal venoms.

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Oct 28, 2024

Discovery of Critical Iron-Transport Protein in Malaria Parasites Could Lead to Faster-Acting Medications

Kade Loveridge, MD/PhD student in Paul Sigala's lab, just published a first author PNAS paper defining a critical iron acquisition mechanism in malaria parasites.

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News

Oct 28, 2024

University of Utah announces 2024 Innovation Awards recipients

Biochemistry faculty, Justin English, wins University of Utah 2024 Innovation Award for making remarkable strides in understanding and controlling how cells transmit information. A pioneer in his field, English invented...

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News

Oct 03, 2024

Benchmarks Newsletter (2024 Fall)

Please find our Fall 2024 “Benchmarks” Newsletter for the Department of Biochemistry downloadable below. Visit our newsletters page for more or to manage your subscription preferences.

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Faculty Spotlight

Owen Pornillos, PhD

Owen Pornillos grew up in a small fishing and farming village in Philippines called Nabua, located south of Luzon island and within a 20 mile radius of three volcanoes. He left for Manila after qualifying for attendance at a public boarding school, called the Philippine Science High School. Along with 200 classmates from around the Philippines, Owen was immersed in an advanced science-oriented curriculum, including college-level courses. From this formative experience, Owen says, his career in science was "inevitable." Owen remained in Manila to attend the University of the Philippines, where he initially began as a chemical engineering major, but switched to molecular biology while still in his freshman year. For his undergraduate thesis, Owen independently designed a project focused on isolating a fungal protein with a specific enzymatic activity. As graduation neared, Owen's advisor, Flerida Cariño, suggested that Owen apply to graduate schools. Luly Cruz, a faculty member working jointly at the University of Philippines and with Toto Olivera (U of U Biology), suggested that Owen look into the Biological Chemistry (BC) program at the U.

Continued...

Pornillos Website