Biochemistry Research

A wide variety of exciting research opportunities is available to graduate students in the Biochemistry Department. Research interests of our faculty range from fundamental problems in cellular physiology and organization such as gene regulation, RNA and protein structure, enzyme mechanisms, metabolism, and signal transduction, to important health and societal issues such as human disease and biofuels.

Our research takes advantage of powerful model systems including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, yeast and plants, and a broad range of modern tools and techniques drawn from the disciplines of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and genetics. The department offers a stimulating and collegial atmosphere where sci​entific ideas and techniques are freely shared. In addition to their advisor and labmates, students interact with other faculty members and researchers throughout the department. Moreover, many of our faculty and graduate students collaborate with life scientists in other departments or programs at Purdue and other institutions in the US and abroad. These dynamic interactions greatly enrich the training experience. Summaries of individual research programs can be accessed through the faculty pages.

Research Support

The ability to obtain national research grants is essential to provide support for graduate students. Research in the Department of Biochemistry is supported by faculty grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the American Chemical Society, the American Cancer Society, the United States Department of Agriculture, the American Heart Association, and selected industry sources.

Faculty Lab Spotlights

Vikki Weake is a professor in Biochemistry. Her lab uses the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a powerful model system for studying the mechanisms involved in aging and neurodegenerative disease, specifically in the eye. 

Kyle Cottrell is an assistant professor in Biochemistry.  His lab explores the molecular functions of RNA binding proteins. The lab uses breast cancer as a model to identify unknown functions of RNA binding proteins, and to identify therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer.  

Mark Hall is a professor in Biochemistry. His research focus is cell cycle regulation and fungal pathogenesis and his research group is working to identify new candidate antifungal drug targets, focusing on the Candida group of pathogenic yeasts.