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MISSION STATEMENT
Biochemistry and molecular biology are related, interactive disciplines,
whose joint goal is a complete understanding of life at the cellular and
subcellular levels. Biochemists primarily use tools derived from
chemistry to dissect molecular structure and function, while molecular
biologists more often ground their studies of life processes in
genetics. Both also need cell biology, mathematics, physics and,
increasingly, genomics, bioinformatics and computational biology. The
21st century will be the century of biology: not only will we develop
radically new ways of improving and maintaining human health, we will
also have to come to terms with our history and responsibilities as the
dominant species on the planet. Biochemistry and molecular biology will
be the foundation sciences in these transformations.
As a component of a research-intensive university with a broad
educational mandate, the Department has a mission that encompasses two
distinct goals:
- To generate and to disseminate new knowledge through research in
the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.
- To educate students in the theory and practice of biochemistry and
molecular biology.
In the past, the research activities of the Department have been readily
categorized into three areas of activity: metabolism, molecular biology
and protein chemistry. The borders between these areas have become much
less distinct although the interests of our faculty members still span a
wide range from protein chemistry to molecular evolution. Three new
areas of research emphasis have been defined. Although somewhat
overlapping, they indicate the research directions the Department will
follow in the future.
- Molecular cell biology and molecular genetics
- Comparative genomics, proteomics and molecular evolution
- Structure, function and metabolism of biomolecules
It is faculty members working in these areas who will provide the
expertise necessary to maintain modern, high-caliber research programs
that attract external funding and high-quality graduate students. They
will also have sufficient breadth of interest and experience to meet
current and future teaching obligations.
Ratified: 2001
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