Lee and Yokoyama Labs Reveal Chemical Logic of Chs Inhibition
Using cryo-EM, the Lee and Yokoyama labs collaborated on the structure of Chs2 from Candida albicans.
The Yang Lab Makes Discovery That’s Vital to Pregnancy and Human Existence
Fusion of millions of trophoblasts into a syncytiotrophoblast, a single gigantic cell in the placenta, is vital to pregnancy and human existence. The Yang Lab’s, Dr. Yang Zhang and colleagues discovered that it’s the TRPV4 calcium channel that operates TMEM16F scramblase and mediates this amazing cell fusion event. Read more in eLife
Duc Huynh Receives Ruth K. Broad Foundation Fellowship
Duc Huynh receives the one-year Ruth K. Broad Foundation Fellowship for his work on O-GlcNAc modification.
Adjunct Professor, Bettie Sue Masters, Recognized by the Medical College of Wisconsin
After serving as the first female chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin's Biochemistry Department, Bettie Sue Masters, Adjunct Professor in Biochemistry, was awarded an honorary D. Sc. degree and a conference room was dedicated in her name.
Lee Lab Uses cryo-EM and Thermal Titration Methods to See the Capsaicin Receptor Opening
Dr. Seok-Yong Lee & team found there are many conformations when RTx binds to TRPV1. With thermal titration and cryo-EM analysis, they elucidated the temporal order of conformations leading to TRPV1 opening. Read their research in Nature Communications.
Using Cryo-EM & Crystal Structures, Pei Zhou, PhD, and Team Study the Inner Workings of NPR1
By solving cryoEM and crystal structures of the plant protein NPR1 and its complex with the transcription factor TGA3, the Duke team led by Drs. Pei Zhou and Xinnian Dong could provide a possible boon for agriculture.
Congratulations to Shivesh, Raul, and Qinglin for elucidating the molecule structure and mechanism of how NPR1 controls plant immunity.
Congratulations to Shivesh, Raul, and Qinglin for elucidating the molecule structure and mechanism of how NPR1 controls plant immunity. Read more on
Upon His Retirement, Paul Modrich Reflects on His Career
Paul Modrich came to Duke in 1976—when Durham had a small-town feel, the smell of curing tobacco filled the air, and southern accents were the norm.
In Celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Duke Biochemistry recognizes the many contributions of our Asian American and Pacific Islander colleagues.
Carly Sciandra Named Peer Mentoring Fellow
Carly Sciandra will join the second cohort of Duke PhD Peer Mentoring Fellows who provide mentorship and small group facilitation to incoming PhD students.