Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology
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Washington University’s vibrant interdisciplinary graduate
research environment makes it an ideal place for training in both fundamental
and applied biological sciences. Students in our program start with a common
curriculum and have the flexibility to tailor their path according to their own
scientific needs and interests. The Biochemistry,
Biophysics & Structural Biology (BBSB) Program
brings together scientists who aim to understand biological systems ranging
from single molecules to whole organisms at the level of chemical
transformations and molecular interactions. Our students address diverse
biological questions that include host-pathogen interactions, cancer-related signaling
processes, and the nature of protein dynamics. BBSB faculty on both campuses share
ties with DBBS programs such as Microbiology, Immunology, and Plant and
Microbial Biosciences.
The new BBSB program encompasses three related research areas:
Biochemistry uses the concepts and approaches of chemistry to understand the
molecular basis of biological processes. Biochemical studies include enzymology,
metabolism, DNA replication, cell signaling, and drug discovery. Insights from
these studies may shed light on fundamental biological processes as well as
mechanisms of disease, new drug treatments, and new diagnostics.
Biophysics brings together elements of biology, chemistry,
physics and mathematics to describe and understand biological processes. It is
a fusion of scientific cultures: The systems and processes of biochemistry and
computational & molecular biology are joined with the principles and
quantitative laws of physical chemistry. The goal is to develop a quantitative
and predictive understanding of biology at a detailed molecular level.
Structural Biology seeks a mechanistic
understanding of macromolecular function through molecular structure and
dynamics. X-ray diffraction, cryo-electron microscopy and NMR are among the
tools used by structural biologists, whose insights address important questions
throughout biology and medicine at Washington University.