Chemistry and Biochemistry 2007/2008
Why study chemistry at the University of Denver? Consider these advantages:
- excellent, research-active faculty
- small classes, personal attention
- first-rate teaching facilities
- modern equipment
At the University of Denver, we offer the training and amenities to energize your graduate experience—and help you develop into a professional scientist.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers programs leading to MA, MS or PhD degrees in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and biochemistry.
Our faculty members actively involve students in research programs supported with more than $1.5 million in annual funding from federal agencies, state governments and private industries.
In our programs, you will enjoy the benefits of a friendly, personalized learning environment that offers nationally competitive, extremely productive research opportunities.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has much to offer the chemistry graduate student: close and frequent student-faculty interaction; an integrated program of courses; and excellent equipment and facilities including 400 MHz NMR, multiple EPR spectrometers, PiStar 180 CD/Stopped flow, ESI and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers, step-scan FTIR, photon counting lifetime fluorscence, and nano-second laser flash photolysis. Faculty research interests encompass theoretical and experimental work in biophysical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry and biochemistry. The department's relatively small size allows a broader, more interdisciplinary approach than in large departments. Our instructional format merges traditional disciplines into interdisciplinary courses that more closely reflect current trends in chemistry.
ADDENDUM: Updates and Changes to Our Graduate Brochure
PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW CHAIR!
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is happy to announce the arrival of our new professor and chair, Lawrence J. Berliner. Dr. Berliner has taught chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysics previously at Ohio State University. An introduction to his research interests can be found at the left. For an overview of all of our faculty’s research interests and publications, visit our web pages at: http://www.du.edu/chemistry/
LAWRENCE J. BERLINER
Chair
Biochemistry and Biophysics
PhD 1967, Stanford University
One of our overall research goals is to understand structure/function relationships in proteins and enzymes. Our approaches involve the applications of magnetic resonance (NMR, ESR) and fluorescence techniques, which shed light on the dynamic aspects of biological structure in solution. Another interest is in the detection and characterization of free radicals in biology and medicine. This exemplifies our need for an interdisciplinary team of researchers spanning molecular biology, biochemistry, enzymology, instrumentation development, biological spectroscopy, physiologists, and organic syntheses.
Our current interests fall into two areas: enzymes involved in lactation (lactose synthase) and in vivo ESR imaging. Lactose synthase is an enzyme-protein complex from milk which catalyzes the biosynthesis of lactose. The enzyme component, galactosyl transferase, alone catalyzes the formulation of N-acetyl-lactosamine in the absence of the protein alpha-lactalbumin. We are studying the structure and mechanism of both components of this complex. Our research approaches also involve genetic engineering and bioinorganic chemistry since -lactalbumin is a calcium binding protein which binds several metal cations. The work on free radicals involves the detection, characterization and biology of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and persistent radical intermediates of drug metabolism.