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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
Neelanjan Mukherjee, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Heide L. Ford, PhD, Chair of Pharmacology, and Rui Zhao, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, are corresponding authors of an article, “eIF3d and eIF3e mediate selective translational control of hypoxia that can be inhibited by small molecules,” published December 23 by Cell Reports. Twelve co-authors are from our campus and three are from CU Boulder.
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 Information
DEAR
News Announcements
Congratulations to all recent faculty, postdoc, and graduate student awardees!
 | December 2025 Angelo D'Alessandro has been highlighted on the2025 Highly Cited Researchers list! |
 | November 2025 Joe Nassour was highlighted in CUAnschutz today, Meet the Scientist! |
 | September 2025 James DeGregori has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award! |
| September 2025 Angelo D'Alessandro has been highlighted in an article from New Atlas! |
 | August 2025 Jay Hesselberth has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award! |
 | August 2025 Neel Mukherjee has received a Golfers Against Cancer Award! |
 | August 2025 Ning Zhao has received an NIH MIRA Award! |
| » More News |