
Biochemistry Research Cluster
Biochemical research at Ohio University attempts to unlock the mysteries of living organisms and human disease using state-of-the-art biochemical experimentation. Sophisticated physical, chemical, analytical, genetic and molecular biology techniques are combined to solve critical biochemical problems in both animal and plant systems.
Faculty Researchers
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Jixin ChenBiophysical chemistry / microscopy of biosensing platforms; Materials science / surface chemistry functionalizations; Algorithms in data analysis / simulations
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Michael HeldPlant cell walls as bioenergy feedstocks. Self-assembly and polymerization of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. Regulation of wall biosynthesis by small RNAs.
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Jennifer V. HinesDevelopment of RNA-targeted antibacterial/antiviral agents. Molecular/structural biology, molecular modeling/computational chemistry applied to drug discovery.
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Justin M. HolubDevelopment of synthetic peptides to study and manipulate protein-protein interactions. Chemical biology, protein biochemistry, peptide chemistry, synthetic biologics.
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Eric MassonDesign, synthesis, characterization and host-guest recognition of supramolecular architectures, with a focus on pumpkin-shaped Cucurbit[n]uril hosts and their extreme binding affinities in water.
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Mark McMillsOrganic synthesis of bioactive/medicinally important natural products; metallocarbenoid intermediates to form various types of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur ylides.
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Shiyong WuElucidating fundamental mechanisms in regulation of senescent and carcinogenic responses in mammalian skin cell/tissue after solar ultraviolet light exposure.
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Mengliang ZhangForensic Chemistry / Food and Agricultural Chemistry / Metabolomics / Environmental Chemistry / Material Science
Adjunct Faculty
About the Biochemistry Research Cluster
Current research projects within the division include studying the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, understanding the molecular basis of plant cell wall development, and investigating the fundamental nature of protein-protein interactions using chemical tools. In addition, investigators are developing novel methods for biochemical analysis, as well as innovative ribonucleic acid molecules for use as therapeutics and sophisticated nanosensors and nanomedical devices for early diagnosis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, drug testing and accelerated wound healing.

Research
Each principal investigator in the Biochemistry Research Division maintains a strong, well-funded research program with access to excellent facilities at Ohio University. Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of biochemical research at Ohio University facilitates collaborations with faculty in other chemistry research divisions and in other departments campus-wide.
Many faculty members in the division conduct research projects that are accessible to students of all skill levels, including undergraduates and master's students, allowing virtually any student interested in research to get hands-on laboratory experience.
Another advantage to our students is that research groups in the Biochemistry Research Division are relatively small, averaging between three to four students per group. The small group sizes allow for enhanced mentoring between the student and his or her adviser, a trademark of Ohio University graduate programs.
Recent graduates in Biochemistry from Ohio University have gone on to exciting scientific careers in academic, government and industrial settings.
Facilities
The impressive facilities for biochemistry research are housed, along with each investigator's laboratory, in a 15,000-square-foot open-plan research building that was specially designed for biochemical research. Instrumentation onsite and available to students of the program include:
- Microwave reactor
- Circular dichroism spectropolarimeter
- Absorbance/fluorescence plate readers
- High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems
- Gas chromatography systems
- Fast-protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) systems
- ECL/fluorescence imager
- Thermocyclers
- Molecular modeling computation software
- 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
- 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
- High-resolution mass spectrometer (LC/MS)
- Optical and fluorescence microscopes
- Genomics sequencing facility
- Scanning electron microscope
- Isothermal titration calorimeter
- Microinjection facility