Biochemistry

Berndsen

July 18, 2022

Zachary Berndsen

The Berndsen Lab focuses on utilizing and developing state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques in combination with other biochemical, molecular, and computational tools to interrogate the structure and function of important biomolecular systems within the context of human disease. Our aim is to create bridges between basic and translational science with the goal of making discoveries that will both strengthen our fundamental understanding of these systems and accelerate the development of potentially life-saving therapies. To do so, we will not only rely on internal expertise but engage in extensive collaboration with other research laboratories both on the Mizzou…

May 9, 2022

Senior Spotlight: Laith Almashharawi

Almashharawi will graduate with degrees in biochemistry and film studies.

Scott Peck posing.

April 20, 2022

Scott Peck Receives Mumford Award for Outstanding Faculty as Part of 2022 Celebration of Excellence

Scott Peck, professor of biochemistry and member of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG), received the 2022 Mumford Award for Outstanding Faculty during CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony held April 19.

Antje Heese smiling.

April 20, 2022

Antje Heese Receives 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award at Celebration of Excellence

Antje Heese, associate professor of biochemistry, received the 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award as part of CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence. She was honored at the 2022 in-person ceremony Tuesday, April 19. Heese received her master’s degree in plant physiology and biochemistry from Ruhr-Universität in Germany and her PhD in botany and plant pathology from Michigan State University. She joined the University of Missouri as an assistant research professor in 2006. “Professor Heese builds personal connections with her students, such that they are empowered to broach difficult topics related to their academic standing, physical or mental health,” says…

Clarissa Durie

Dec. 20, 2021

Clarissa Durie

Cells must interface with and adapt to the outside world, and one critical way they achieve this is through the dynamic and specific action of secretion systems that transport molecules in and out of cells. Over the last several decades, scientists have identified numerous cellular secretion systems from bacteria to human. However, there are still many unanswered questions about precisely how and when they function. The goal of my research program is to integrate biochemical, biophysical, and genetic approaches to understand the structure, regulation, and function of bacterial secretion systems in their physiological contexts. Bacterial pathogens represent a…

Dec. 13, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Emerald McKinley

McKinley will graduate with a degree in biochemistry.

Ag Building

Nov. 18, 2021

Three IPG Faculty Listed Among 2021 Highly Cited Researchers

This list recognizes world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance.

Nov. 10, 2021

University of Missouri and University of Georgia Receive NSF-NIFA Award to Help Fight the Soybean Cyst Nematode

MU's Lesa Beamer and UGA's Melissa Mitchum will co-direct the 4-year award, which totals $1.2 million.

Craig Schenck

June 30, 2021

Craig Schenck

To deal with relentless environmental pressures, plants produce an arsenal of structurally diverse defensive chemicals. These sometimes-complex compounds are derived from much simpler building blocks from primary metabolic pathways. Unlike well-documented diversification of plant specialized metabolic enzymes, core metabolic pathways are highly conserved and evolutionarily constrained because they serve essential metabolic functions, which makes manipulation of these pathways difficult. The expansion and alteration of core metabolism has given rise to the evolution of structurally diverse plant specialized metabolites. However, the underlying mechanisms enabling metabolic diversity and the connections linking core to specialized metabolism are not well known. These…

covered walkway

May 24, 2021

Biochemists Receive New TRIUMPH Funding Initiative Through MU School of Medicine

A new pilot grant program led by Senior Associate Dean Bill Fay announced 30 awards to School of Medicine (SOM) investigators, including multiple awards to MU Biochemistry faculty.