Committed to Interdisciplinary Research

The UAB Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics is one of the "basic science" departments jointly affiliated with the UAB Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (referred to as "Joint Health Science" departments). The department currently has 30 primary faculty members and several secondary faculty from many other departments at UAB.

The national and international impact of the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics faculty includes a substantial number of publications in outstanding journals; appointments to editorial boards of a number of leading biochemistry journals; appointments to NIH study sections and other review panels; awards of over $9.39 million per year in extramural research funding ($7.12 million direct + $2.27 million indirect); invitations to speak at national and international research meetings and symposia; and membership in a number of prestigious honor specific societies, including the National Academy of Sciences of the United States and the American Academy of Microbiology.

Education and Training

The faculty in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics are committed to providing rigorous, high quality education to the scientists of tomorrow. Our work employs a wide variety of experimental approaches and addresses diverse scientific questions. However, what unifies us is our commitment to discovering the fundamental biological and biochemical principles that govern the systems we study.

With areas of expertise ranging from enzymology, metabolism, gene expression, protein structure/function, virology, cell differentiation, and molecular pathogenesis,we employ equally diverse educational strategies to inform and inspire youngscientists in training.

As a cornerstone of the basic health sciences in a large academic medical center, the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics faculty interact with and influence the education of diverse cohorts of students. We serve as mentors and instructors for graduate students, professional students (medical, dental, and optometry students), and undergraduate students.

Research

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at UAB ranks among the top public institutions of higher education in terms of research and training awards. Our faculty currently receives $9.39 million per year in extramural, investigator-initiated grants ($7.12 million direct + $2.27 million indirect).  

The department carries out cutting-edge basic and translational research. Research strengths in the department includes cancer biology, chromatin and epigenetic signaling, metabolism and signaling, regulation of gene expression, structural biology, DNA synthesis and repair, and disease mechanisms.