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Department of Biology and Biochemistry

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Description of Programs

Biochemistry

Faculty and graduate student research focuses on biochemical processes at the subcellular and macro-molecular levels and encompasses a variety of fields and methodologies. Areas of study include macromolecular structure and function as elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance; X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic techniques; enzyme reaction mechanisms; genomics; computational methods in molecular biology; computational biochemistry/biophysics; computer-aided drug design; signal transduction; neurochemistry; ion channel structure and function; the role of RNA in molecular evolution; the structure and function of virulence factors; and biotechnology.

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Cell and Molecular Biology

The faculty and students in this program share common interests in understanding the molecular mechanisms which drive both fundamental cellular processes and the developmental processes of morphogenesis, cell differentiation and gene regulation. The strength of the program is the diversity of the biological systems under study, which stimulates extensive exchange and collaboration between the various groups. Faculty expertise spans the disciplines of cell and developmental biology, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, immunology, and genetics.

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Ecology and Evolution

This program blends knowledge and methodology from diverse disciplines, including molecular biology, population and quantitative genetics, ecology, physiology, behavior and statistics, towards understanding evolutionary processes at the molecular, individual, population and community levels. Current research programs include the evolution of intergenomic conflict and symbiosis, spatial aspects of population dynamics, maintaining genetic diversity in captive populations, and experimental studies of community structure. Faculty conduct studies on both marine and terrestrial animals and plants in habitats ranging from the Colorado alpine to Pacific coral reefs.

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Interdisciplinary Programs

The Chemical Biology Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Houston is a joint graduate training program between the Departments of Chemistry and Biology & Biochemistry. Students admitted into this program are able to craft a hybrid curriculum and will carry out interdisciplinary research. Students in the program will also benefit from a regular seminar series, student events, and an annual retreat. An application must be made to either the Dept. of Chem. or the Dept. of Biol & Biochem.

The applicant MUST put "Chemical Biology" in question 16 asking for any specific area of interest or specialty within the major

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