Welcome to the Department
Welcome to the web page for the Department of Biochemistry of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University. Here you will find descriptions of the research interests of our faculty, links to their web pages and publications, research resources available to researchers in the department, courses available for study toward the Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry, additional research information, course descriptions and research facilities.
Overview of our Research Interests
Click on the names of our faculty for detailed descriptions
of individual research programs.Biochemistry provides molecular knowledge and chemical insights for the biomedical sciences. A focus of research and training in the Department of Biochemistry is the atomic interactions that give form and specificity to biological function. Within this context, the research programs in the department explore the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids including the analysis of protein-inhibitor, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions.
The faculty of our department use, and in some case have developed, modern methodologies including X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry proteomics technology, synchrotron irradiation footprinting, molecular genetics manipulation and computational chemistry. These methods are applied to important problems of human health and development.
Our research programs encompass human diseases and disorders related to immunology, cancer, diabetes, liver function, antibiotic design, antibiotic resistance, assignment of gene function from genome projects, protein folding and dynamic motion, regulation and organization of the cellular cytoskeleton, regulation and coordination of cellular developmental processes, and functions of expressed genes in cells and mice.
The Department of Biochemistry is recognized as a world-leader in many of these research areas.
Many graduate courses are led by members of the Biochemistry Department. Please click 'here' for a list and short summaries of these courses.
Students enrolled in the Sue Golding Graduate Division who have elected to study with mentors in the department receive training in the fundamental principles of the chemical and physical properties of biological molecules. The interaction of molecules constitutes the biochemical metabolic pathways and defines the regulation of cell function and the basis of cell structure. These principles are the basis of all biomedical science.
Ph.D. training in Biochemistry consists of three phases. The first is coursework which introduces students to key biochemical principles and the scientific literature. The second is laboratory research which leads to the students ability to conduct independent research with mentoring from a faculty member. The third component of the program is presentation of a formal research proposal and the writing and defense of a thesis for the doctoral degree.
A detailed description of the departmental graduate training policies and procedures can be found in our Departmental Guide.
Undergraduate Research Experience
The departmental faculty are enthusiastic participants in the college's Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). SURP) offers undergraduate student's college the unique opportunity to work in a basic research laboratory at one of the world's top-ranking scientific institutions. Undergraduates interested in working with a member of our faculty for a summer should contact faculty whose research interests them as well as apply directly to the SURP program.
- Vern Schramm
Ruth Merns
Professor and Chairman