Welcome
The Department of Biochemistry is a leading research division at Emory University School of Medicine. Our diverse studies exploring many key areas of biochemistry, molecular and structural biology, applied toward a better understanding of diverse, fundamental biological processes with potential or established links to human health and disease. These include but are not limited to the study of gene expression and control of protein synthesis, cell signaling, cell metabolism, molecular pathogenesis, and protein/nucleic acid modifications and interactions.
Latest Department News
![Nature journal cover](_images/news/2024/nature-cover-2024.png)
Ortlund Lab MoTrPAC Research Featured in "Nature"
Congratulations to the Ortlund lab on their publication, "Temporal dynamics of the multi-omic response to endurance exercise training," in Nature. This paper was part of a group of papers released May 1 in Nature discussing the findings of the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC). The work was also featured on the journal's May 2 cover and in a Nature news feature.
"Deal of the Year" Award
Dr. Eric Ortlund, Professor and Vice Chair of Biochemistry, was honored with the "Deal of the Year" award from the Office of Technology Transfer at Emory University. Dr. Ortlund licensed small molecule modulators targeting the Liver Receptor Homologue 1 to Allonix Therapeutics for the treatment of IBD, Metabolic Diseases and Cancer.
![Eric Ortlund and Office of Technology Transfer staff](_images/news/2024/ortlund-ott-award-2024.png)
Dr. Charles Bou-Nader Joins Biochemistry Faculty
Biochemistry welcomes Charles Bou-Nader, PhD, as Assistant Professor effective November 1, 2023. Dr. Bou-Nader was previously a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Dr. Jinwei Zhang, NIH NIDDK.
Dr. Bou-Nader's lab will focus on understanding mechanistically how RNA and R-loop structures control gene expression and genomic integrity in the context of viral infection and neurological disorders. His lab will mainly use cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), X-ray crystallography and biochemical approaches to define important molecular mechanisms of nucleic acid recognition by proteins. You can reach him at cbounad@emory.edu or on Twitter/X @CharlesBNader.
![Charles Bou-Nader](research-labs/bou-nader/images/bou-nader-charles-sq.jpg)
New Grant in the Khoshnevis Lab
Congratulations to Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis for receiving a Biological Discovery Through Chemical Innovation (BDCI) Accelerator grant to develop a new class of antifungals.
The Biological Discovery through Chemical Innovation (BDCI) initiative is a robust network of Emory investigators collaborating at the key intersection of chemistry, biology, and human health in both scientific discovery and training of new researchers. We deepen and facilitate the rapidly developing synergy that already exists at Emory among these three areas and aim to accelerate the development of the next generation of research tools, diagnostic agents, and safe & effective drugs.
![Sohail Khoshnevis, PhD](_images/facultyPage/faculty-images/khoshnevis-sohail-1470x1470.jpg)
New Grant in the Liang Lab
Congratulations to Dr. Bo Liang for his new sub-award under UNAPP in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Novartis, "Functions and structures of the Nipah virus polymerase."
![Bo Liang](../semi-annual-notable-news/semi-annual-notable-news-spring2022/_images/liang-bo-741.741.jpg)
New Publication in the Liang Lab
Congratulations to the Liang Lab for their publication in the Journal of Medical Virology titled “Structural basis of the American mink ACE2 binding by Y453F trimeric spike glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2”.
![Images of Jun Ahn, Brenda Calderon, Xiaoyu Fan, Yunrong Gao, Bin Zhou, Bo Liang](_images/news/2023/liang-lab-pub-journ-med-vir-2023.png)
Emerging Leaders in Biochemistry Seminar Series
The Department of Biochemistry has reserved slots in our departmental seminar series for mid- and senior-level postdoctoral researchers who are considering academic careers. This is an outstanding opportunity for postdocs in biochemistry to present their cutting-edge research, meet our faculty and trainees, and expand their network. The seminar series is open to postdocs from U.S. institutions. Interested postdocs can self-nominate by sending a CV to biochem_DEI@emory.edu or be nominated by their peers. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and priority will be given to applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in academia.
Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis Received CF-Air Center Pilot Award
Congratulations to Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis for receiving a CF-Air Center Pilot Award to study “The role of RNA methylation in Candida albicans for pathogenicity in cystic fibrosis model
![Sohail Khoshnevis, PhD](_images/facultyPage/faculty-images/khoshnevis-sohail-1470x1470.jpg)
Dr. Lizzy Draganova Received NIH Director’s New Innovator Award
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Draganova received an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award from the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. The project title is, "Under Pressure: Biophysical Mapping of Herpesvirus Capsid Assembly and Genome Packaging". Congratulations, Lizzy!
![Elizabeth Draganova, PhD](research-labs/draganova/images/draganova-elizabeth-1470x1470.jpg)
Dr. Homa Ghalei Promoted to Associate Professor
Congratulations to Dr. Homa Ghalei for her promotion to Associate Professor of Biochemistry, effective September 1, 2023.
![Dr. Homa Ghalei](../../about/_files/images/ghalei-homa.png)
Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis Received NIH Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis for receiving a 5-year NIH grant, "Post-transcriptional regulation of cell plasticity."
![Sohail Khoshnevis](../semi-annual-notable-news/semi-annual-notable-news-spring2022/_images/khoshnevis-sohail-1470x1470.jpeg)
Ghalei Lab Received Emory SOM (I3) Nexus Research Award
Congratulations to Ghalei lab for receiving the 2023 Emory School of Medicine Dean’s IMAGINE, INNOVATE, AND IMPACT (I3) award. The SoM Dean’s I3 WOW Awards fund innovative research ideas with the potential to make a transformational impact on fundamental biomedical knowledge or translational applications. This awarded project, which is collaborative research between the laboratories of Dr. Homa Ghalei in the Department of Biochemistry and Dr. Adam Marcus from the Hematology and Medical Oncology Department, aims to establish novel non-coding RNA biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer.
![illustration of lungs](_images/news/2023/ghalei-lab-i3-award-2023.png)
Ortlund Lab Publishes "JBC" Paper
Congratulations to Lee Cato, Emma D’Agostino, Racheal Spurlin, Sarah Abraham, and Eric Ortlund on their publication, "Comparison of Activity, Structure, and Dynamics of SF-1 and LRH-1 Complexed with Small Molecule Modulators," in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, June 2023.
Ortlund Lab Published "Nature Communications" Paper
Congratulations to Sam Druzak, Suzanne Mays, Mireille El-Bejjani, Kristal Maner-Smith, Thomas Bowen, Lee Cato, Matt Tillman, and Eric Ortlund on their recent publication, "Ligand dependent interaction between PC-TP and PPARδ mitigates diet-induced hepatic steatosis in male mice," in Nature Communications, June 2023.
Excellence in Biochemistry DEI Award
Congratulations to Alejandro Oviedo, BCDB graduate student from the Conn laboratory, for receiving the 2023 Excellence in Biochemistry DEI Award!
![Alejandro Oviedo](people/_images/oviedo-alejandro-500x500.jpg)
NAR Cancer Receives First Impact Factor
Published by Oxford University Press, NAR Cancer thanks its editors, authors, and readers in getting off to a great start, with release this week of an impact factor of 5.1. Dr. William Dynan, Professor in the Emory School of Medicine departments of Radiation Oncology and Biochemistry, is the founding Editor-in-Chief and Emory University faculty member Alexander Orthwein is also an Editorial Board Member.
![Dr. Dynan at a microscope.](../radiation-oncology/research-laboratories/william-dynan/_images/dynan-with-microscope.jpg)
Liang Lab Publishes Paper in "Microorganisms"
The Liang Lab Published "Microorganisms" Paper titled, "In Silico Identification and In Vitro Validation of Repurposed Compounds Targeting the RSV Polymerase”.
Dr. Homa Ghalei Selected for 2023 Educator Appreciation Day
Dr. Homa Ghalei has made extensive contributions to graduate education at Emory. In addition to providing outstanding mentorship to trainees in her research lab, Dr. Ghalei is the director of the major course taken by 1st year Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology graduate students and has taught extensively in this course, developing several minicourses that emphasize scientific discussions, critical thinking, hypothesis design and testing, and application of techniques in modern biochemistry.
In recognition of Educator Appreciation Day, the Recognitions Committee at Emory School of Medicine sent out a call for nominations for educators across the school who go above and beyond the call of duty as teachers and mentors. Emory educators were nominated by their peers and colleagues for their passion and skills to educate, encourage, and support scholars and learners across the university.
![Homa Ghalei](../semi-annual-notable-news/semi-annual-notable-news-spring2022/_images/ghalei-ghalei-350x350.jpg)
Ortlund Lab Publishes Paper in "Structure"
The Ortlund Lab shows how #COVID variants can escape immune detection with their publication, "Molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evasion from shared neutralizing antibody response," in Structure.
Nick Seyfried, PhD, and Colleagues on PBS's Your Fantastic MindÂ
Nick Seyfried, PhD, and colleagues appear on PBS's Your Fantastic Mind discussing their research of proteomics, the study of proteins in humans, and its potential to unlock the secrets of neurodegenerative diseases.