Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Research Track Details

Degree Requirements

   ❱  Required coursework
   ❱  Research tool requirement 
   ❱  Qualifying or comprehensive examination (As part of candidacy requirements, oral and/or written comprehensive candidacy examination depending on the chosen track)
   ❱  Graduate School expository writing requirement
   ❱  Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement
   ❱  Dissertation
   ❱  Final oral examination/Dissertation defense 

Research Areas & Interests 

Faculty Research Interests

 A sampling of research interests

  • Biochemistry: Studying the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.   
  • Bioethics: Exploring the ethical implications of advances in biology and medicine, including genetic engineering, cloning, and reproductive technologies.   
  • Biomarker Discovery: Identifying measurable indicators of disease or health status, which can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring treatment response.   
  • Cancer Biology: Exploring the genetic and molecular basis of cancer, including tumor development, progression, and metastasis.   
    • This includes research on molecular mechanisms and epigenetics underlying breast cancer, liver cancer and prostate cancer with age-related DNA methylation changes.   
    • It also includes identifying novel epigenome-derived markers for screening and diagnosing prostate cancer, particularly in men of African ancestry.   
  • Cellular Immunology and Immunogenetics: Exploring the cellular and genetic basis of the immune system, including immune responses and immune-related diseases.   
  • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Applying computational tools and data analysis to understand complex biological systems and solve biological problems, including health disparities.   
    • This involves utilizing data science principles to understand chronic disease burdens across different ethnic groups.   
    • It also includes investigating gene sequence variation on disease expression in diverse populations.   
    • Additionally, it utilizes molecular dynamics and computational molecular modeling simulations to study molecular recognition and interactions, which is vital for therapeutic agent design.   
  • DNA Repair: Investigating the cellular mechanisms that repair damaged DNA, and how defects in these processes contribute to aging and disease, including cancer development.   
  • Epigenetics: Studying the heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.   
    • This includes research on epigenetic-based biomarkers for cancer detection and exploring epigenetic alterations in cancer for novel therapeutic angles.   This also involves studying DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNAs, Chromatin remodeling in breast, liver and prostate cancers.
  • Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogenetic Analyses: Studying the evolutionary relationships between organisms and how genetic variation contributes to diversity.   
  • Gene Expression Regulation: Investigating how genes are turned on and off, and how this regulation is essential for normal development and health.   
  • Genetics: Exploring the role of genes in health, disease, inheritance, and health disparities.   
  • Genome Maintenance: Studying the processes that ensure the stability and integrity of the genome, and how disruptions can lead to genetic disorders and cancer.   
  • Health Disparities Research: Investigating the biological and social factors that contribute to health disparities among different populations.   
  • Human Immunogenetics: Studying the genetic basis of the human immune system, including immune responses and immune-related diseases.   
  • Intermediary metabolism: Deciphering hormones including signal transduction, biochemical pathways, and their regulation.
  • Medical Bacteriology: Investigating the role of bacteria in human health and disease, including the development of new antibiotics and vaccines.   
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Research: Investigating the role of mitochondrial DNA in health, disease, and human evolution.   
  • Molecular Biology: Investigating the molecular basis of life, including DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.   
  • Molecular Genetics of Dictyostelium discoideum: Utilizing this eukaryotic model organism to study cellular processes, differentiation, and signaling pathways relevant to human health and disease.   
  • Molecular Mechanisms of Aging: Researching the molecular and cellular processes that contribute to aging, with the goal of identifying interventions to promote healthy aging.  
  • Molecular mechanisms of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and HCC development: This research area focuses on understanding the molecular processes involved in the development of fatty liver disease (MASLD), its progression to inflammation and scarring (MASH), and ultimately, liver cancer (HCC).
  • Molecular Recognition and Interactions: Studying how molecules interact with each other, which is crucial for understanding biological processes and designing new drugs.   
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases: Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, with a focus on developing new diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.   
    • This includes the development of hybrid Parkinsonism-Alzheimer's mouse models.   
  • Protein Design: Engineering proteins with new or improved functions, with applications in medicine, industry, and biotechnology.   
  • SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis and Long COVID: Studying the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the long-term effects of COVID-19.   
  • Structure and Function of Bacterial and Archaeal Enzymes: Studying the enzymes of bacteria and archaea, with a focus on those with potential biomedical importance.   
  • Therapeutic Agent Design: Developing new drugs and therapies based on a deep understanding of molecular interactions and disease mechanisms

  • Translational Medicine: Bridging the gap between basic research and clinical practice, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into new and improved diagnostics, therapies, and treatments.

    It's important to note that research interests can evolve, and for the most up-to-date and detailed information, it's always best to refer to the official Howard University College of Medicine website and the individual faculty pages.

Program of Study*

CORE COURSES


BIOC 170      General Biochemistry

BIOC 203      Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory

BIOC 240      Advanced Enzymology 

BIOC 208      Protein Structure and Function

BIOC 270      Molecular Biology

BIOC 272      Metabolic Regulation     

BIOC 211      Orientation to Research

BIOC 201      Seminar in Biochemistry

ELECTIVE COURSES

A sample of Elective courses in Biochemistry Research Track:

BIOC 271     Clinical Biochemistry

BIOC 200     Research in Biochemistry

BIOC 204      Neurochemistry

BIOC 205      Directed Research

BIOC 260      Biochemistry of Cancer

BIOC 215      Practical Biochemistry 

BIOC 271      Special Topics in Biochemistry

DISSERTATION

*Courses included in the sample program of study are subject to change. Students should consult with their programs regarding their required program of study. 

Admission to Candidacy 

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed the required coursework, have passed the comprehensive/qualifying exam requirement, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. The dissertation proposal and an oral defense of the proposal are mandatory components of the comprehensive/qualifying exam requirement for each track. Additionally, some tracks may include an extra component of the comprehensive candidacy examination. Candidates must also have satisfied the Graduate School expository writing requirement and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement. 

Graduate Funding 

Admitted students may be eligible to compete for Graduate School competitive awards, which provide tuition remission and a stipend during the academic year. Additionally, graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours a week under the program's direction, usually in support of faculty research (research assistants) or in support of assigned courses (teaching assistants). Please see the Funding website for more detailed information.