Biological Physics, Structure and Design (BPSD) scientists explore the frontiers and interactions between structural, computational and chemical biology. The primary focus of members of the program involves the use and determination of atomic-level structures of biologically important macromolecules, i.e. proteins, RNA and DNA. The area of research encompassed by BPSD is inherently interdisciplinary in nature: techniques used in this area are derived from chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology. The program is designed to facilitate cross-training among disciplines with the aim of preparing young scientists to enter this exciting and growing field of research, which is relevant for vaccine development, drug design, protein structure prediction, as well as for understanding the fundamentals of structure — function relationships in biomacromolecules.
Degree(s)/Certificate(s) offered
Entry program for a Ph.D. in: Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biological Structure, Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Neurobiology & Biophysics.
Program director/interdisciplinary group chair
- Frank Dimaio, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Dustin Maly, Professor, Department of Chemistry
Interdisciplinary faculty group
The following are the core/voting graduate faculty members of the interdisciplinary group. For a complete list of faculty active in the program, see the program website.
- Charles Asbury, Associate Professor, Department of Neurobiology & Biophysics.
- David Baker, Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Frank Dimaio, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Steven Hahn, Affiliate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Rachel Klevit, Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Kelly K. Lee, Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry
- Dustin Maly, Professor, Department of Chemistry
- Wendy Thomas, Professor, Department of Bioengineering
- Wenqing Xu, Professor, Department of Neurobiology & Biophysics.
- Ning Zheng, Professor, Department of Pharmacology