University of Iowa: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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This week we are excited to have Dr. Douglas Kojetin of Vanderbilt University present a seminar on "Nuclear receptor function made crystal clear with NMR spectroscopy". The seminar will be on Thursday, May 8 at 10:30am in 2117 MERF.

On Thursday we're welcoming Dr. Kara Davis of Stanford University as an invited seminar speaker. Dr. Davis will present "Understanding Cellular Predictors of Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia" at 10:30am in 2117 MERF.

Congrats to Nathan Mohar & the Wallrath Lab on their collaborative publication, "A genetic variant in SMAD7 acts as a modifier of LMNA-associated muscular dystrophy, implicating SMAD signaling as a therapeutic target," published this week in Science Advances.

On Tuesday, April 29, we will recognize the research accomplishments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduates and hear graduating seniors present their research results. Family and friends are welcome!

A study led by Maria Spies, PhD, has revealed the unexpected structure adopted by the DNA repair protein RAD52 as it binds and protects replicating DNA in dividing cells. This new structural and mechanistic understanding of the RAD52-DNA complex may help researchers develop new anti-cancer drugs.

“This protein is an attractive target for new anti-cancer drugs because while it is dispensable in healthy human cells, RAD52 becomes essential for survival of cancer cells, which are deficient in DNA repair function,” Spies says. https://bmb.medicine.uiowa.edu/news/2025/04/unexpected-protein-structure-may-lead-new-cancer-treatments

University of Iowa: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

This week we are pleased to welcome Dr. Sara Stahley from Penn State University to give a presentation on her research. Dr. Stahley will present "Cadherin regulation of planar cell polarity in the mammalian epidermis" on Thursday, April 17 at 10:30 am in 2117 MERF.

The IowaBiochem seminar series resumes on April 3rd with a presentation by Dr. Edward Egelman of the Univ. of Virginia. Dr. Egelman's talk title is "Using Cryo-EM to Understand Evolution" and will be held at 10:30am on the medical campus.

Congratulations to Dr. Lori Wallrath for being selected for the 2025 Hubbard-Walder Award for Excellence in Teaching!

Congratulations to the Davies lab on their recent publication in the December issue of Scientific Reports entitled "Endothelial lipase variant T111I does not alter inhibition by angiopoietin-like proteins".

Congratulations to the DeMali lab on their recent publication in the December 18th issue of the Journal of Cell Science entitled "Shear stress-stimulated AMPK couples endothelial cell mechanics, metabolism and vasodilation".

Congratulations to Zach Frevert for successfully passing his PhD dissertation defense! Zach's dissertation title is "Visualizing DNA polymerase iota catalyze Hoogsteen-directed DNA Synthesis". Advisor: Dr. Todd Washington