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Welcome to Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

 

Julia Promisel Cooper, Chair

As biochemists and molecular geneticists, we are in the midst of an unprecedented time of discovery - our conception of the molecular biology of cells is going from the equivalent of grainy black-and-white to high-resolution technicolor. From deciphering the choreography of transcription complexes, chromosomes and RNA molecules within cells to developing novel approaches to 3D molecular structure determination to understanding how viruses hijack a cell’s machinery and alter its metabolome, the researchers in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) are at the forefronts of their fields both conceptually and technologically.

Maximal synergy and depth of thinking require an open, vibrant research environment in which people of all backgrounds thrive. We are passionately devoted to enhancing diversity and upholding uncompromised equity and anti-racism. These principles, along with the close proximity of BMG to other outstanding basic and clinical departments as well as several hospitals, vastly enhance our opportunities for collaboration and translation of paradigm-shifting basic discoveries to the clinic and beyond.



Research Areas



Highlighted Recent Publications


Hossein Shenasa, Nova Fong, and Ben Erickson published a paper in PNAS entitled CAR-SPLASH identifies nascent pre-mRNA structures implicated in kinetic coupling and alternative splicing
Bentley Lab - September 2025 - PNAS

Jay Hesselberth, PhD and Laura White, PhD, Professor and Instructor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, are corresponding authors of a research article, “Nanoprore sequencing of intact aminoacylated tRNAs,” published August 20 in Nature Communications. Four co-authors are from our campus.

Srinivas Ramachandran, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and investigator with the RNA Bioscience Initiative, is a co-author of an article, “Human cytomegalovirus induces neuronal gene expression through IE1 for viral maturation,” published August 8 by Nature Communications.

Telomere crisis shapes cancer evolution
Nassour Lab - August 2025 - CSH Perspectives

Respiratory viral infections awaken metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs 
DeGregori Lab - July 2025 - Nature

TRF1 relies on fork reversal to prevent fragility at human telomeres 
Joe Nassour Lab - July 2025 - Nature Communications 

Conserved long-range interactions are required for stable folding of orthoflaviviral genomic RNA
John Janetzko & Janetzko Lab in collaboration with Puglisi lab (Stanford) – June 2025 – Nucleic Acids Research

The Bentley Lab & Hansen Lab have published a paper in Cell Reports titled "PP1/PNUTS phosphatase binds the restrictor complex and stimulates RNA Pol II transcription termination" 

» More Publications


More Information

Outdoor sphere sculpture on CU Anschutz campus

Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars

 

Outdoor sculpture on CU Anschutz during the fall

Prospective Graduate Students

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DEAR

 

News Announcements


Congratulations to all recent facultypostdoc, and graduate student awardees!

  
Joe Nassour

November 2025

Joe Nassour was highlighted in CUAnschutz today, Meet the Scientist! 

nret

September 2025

James DeGregori has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award!

Angelo D'Alessandro

September 2025

Angelo D'Alessandro has been highlighted in an article from New Atlas! 

Jay Hesselberth -- 60 x 70

August 2025

Jay Hesselberth has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award!

Neel Mukherjee -- 500 x 600

August 2025

Neel Mukherjee has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award!

Ning Zhao

August 2025

Ning Zhao has received an NIH MIRA Award! 

DeGregori Lab Paper July 2025

July 2025

Wyatt Chia, Bryan Johnson, and James DeGregori have been highlighted in the CUAnschutz Newsroom! 

 

Ning Zhao

July 2025

Ning Zhao was highlighted in CUAnschutz today,
Meet the Scientist! 

» More News

Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

CU Anschutz

Research I South

12801 East 17th Avenue

Mail Stop 8101

Aurora, CO 80045


303-724-3201

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