UNC Biochemistry and Biophysics department

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Keep up with news from University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Biochemistry Biophysics. We train biomedical graduate students & researchers. “Catalyzing Curiosity, Careers, and Cures” https://www.med.unc.edu/biochem

Dillon Sloan, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Rick Baker’s lab

New Student Talks — Bioinformatics 1131
Each student will give a 10-minute talk followed by 5 minutes of Q&A—please come welcome and support our newest students.

1:30 PM: DGS welcome remarks

1:35 PM: Jimmy Pratas

1:50 PM: Sydney D'Amaddio

2:05 PM: Maria Lopez Vasquez

2:20 PM: Garrett Chappel

2:35 PM: Rohan Shah

May 5, 1 PM Student Defense:
Sierra Cole (student of Dr. Amy Gladfelter)
"Sequence and structure of protein binding sites in RNA impact biomolecular condensates"
Bondurant 2020

Student Defense: 4/30
Matthew Vander Ploeg
Title: "Integrin signaling and platelet migration: mechanistic insights and pathophysiological relevance"
April 30, 2026, 3:00 PM
Bioinformatics 1131
(student of Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier)

6 faculty attended this baseball game at UNC on April 21, 2026

“Spatial Organization of Epigenetic Information by Phase Separation” presented by Xiaojun (XJ) Ren, Ph.D. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
1131 Bioinformatics Host: Jill Dowen
Join us for our last seminar of the Spring semester.

Join us for a seminar on “The picornaviral 3C protease and its precursor 3CD: Central components to virus replication and survival” with David Boehr, Ph.D., Prof. of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science, Penn State Univ., 1131 Bioinfo.,
Tues., April 14, 2026, 11:00 AM

Student Defense on Wed., April 8, 2:00 PM
Student: Uriel Jean-Baptiste
Title: "Navigating New Frontiers in Lipase Regulation"
Location: Marisco 5004, UNC-CH
Uriel is mentored by Dr. Saskia Neher
photo of Uriel

"BCBP Seminar Series Presents
Targeting Stable HIV Reservoirs for HIV Cure
Guochun Jiang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
University of North Carolina-CH
Dr. Guochun Jiang received his B.S. in Microbiology from Anhui University in Hefei, China, and his Ph.D. in Radiation Medicine from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, China. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at UNC–Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University. Dr. Jiang’s research focuses on the regulation of HIV transcriptional machinery during both active viral transcription and the establishment of HIV latency. The ultimate goal of his laboratory is to translate insights into HIV transcription and latency into therapeutic interventions."

text "BCBP Seminar Series Presents
The RNA Binding protein ZFP36L2 Controls Distinct Gene Programs Across Tissues by Dr. Silvia Ramos who received her MD from the University of Campinas School of Medicine, Campinas, Brazil and completed her residency in Residency Clinical Immunology at the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto. She completed her Masters and Ph.D. in Basic and Applied Immunology at the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil, and completed her postdoctoral training in mRNA-binding proteins and reproductive biology at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences NIEHS-NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC. The Ramos lab’s research is focused on RNA-binding proteins and their physiopathological roles in vivo. Dr. Ramos has a broad medical and biochemical background, with specific training and expertise in RNA-binding proteins and the creation of genetically-engineered mouse models." photo of Dr. Silvia Ramos

Jingting Chen of Elizabeth Brunk’s lab earned his PhD
On March 17, 2026, Jingting Chen of Elizabeth Brunk’s lab successfully defended his thesis entitled, “Evolution on Fast-Forward: EcDNA-Driven Adaptive Trajectories at Single-Cell Resolution” and earned his PhD.

Jingting Chen PhD
Jingting Chen PhD
Jingting Chen’s research reveals novel adaptive mechanisms by which extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) influences cell-to-cell heterogeneity, DNA organization, and adaptive responses of cancer cells under therapeutic pressure.

In addition to his passion for cancer research, Jingting is also a dedicated mentor and teacher. Over the course of his PhD, Jingting has directly mentored over 10 undergraduate researchers. Several of these trainees achieved notable outcomes, including highest departmental honors and first-authored publications. He also served as a TA of over a hundred students for undergraduate and graduate-level courses spanning biochemistry, , bioinformatics, macromolecular structure, and quantitative laboratory training, and he has returned multiple times to instructional roles, reflecting both experience and reliability.

Jingting is also an avid nature lover and cook. Outside of professional roles, Jingting loves to immerse himself in the peace of nature and finds the balance of physical and mental health in good food, music, and exercise.

Following his PhD, Jingting will be continuing his passion for cancer biology as a post-doc toward becoming an independent PI dedicated to precision medicine and improving patient outcomes. We wish Dr. Chen the best in his future endeavors.

March 24, 2026 Seminar: “Monitoring and Manipulating DNA Damage Responses in Human Skin” presented by Michael Kemp, PhD, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Wright State Univ. at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. Hosts: Drs. Sancar & Lindsey-Boltz. @ 11 AM, 1131 Bioinfo

Event flyer text "Student Thesis Defense
Jingting Chen (student of Dr. Elizabeth Brunk)
talk title is Evolution on Fast-Forward: EcDNA-Driven Adaptive Trajectories at Single-Cell Resolution
March 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
UNC MBRB building G-202 room
UNC Biochemistry & Biophysics

text
“A Career of ‘Planned Serendipity’”

Robert (Bob) Campbell, Ph.D. (photo)
CSO – Grove Biopharma
Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Robert (Bob) Campbell received his B.S. in biology and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Rutgers University. He is currently CSO of Grove Biopharma in Chicago, Illinois. Bob began his career in research at Roche Pharmaceuticals and previously served as Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University and Duke – National University of Singapore. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Biological and Translational Sciences at Redona Therapeutics. Dr. Campbell has held leadership roles at Eli Lilly & Co. where he was Director, Oncology Drug Discovery in Singapore, and Cadus, where he was Head of New Leads Discovery. Bob serves as Editor-in-Chief of SLAS Discovery and is a member of the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Editorial Board.

Save the date for the 45th Annual MLK Jr. Week of Celebration!
From January 19 – 23, UNC students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community are invited to engage in a series of events and speaking engagements, all with the shared mission of highlighting Dr. King’s eternal message of unity. See events on UNC website

New publication in JBC Jan 2026 (B.Strahl, J.Dowen labs) Congrats to Riya Gohil, first author!
HMGN1 and HMGN2 are recruited to acetylated and histone variant H2A.Z-containing nucleosomes to regulate chromatin state and transcription

Abid Khan PhD of the Brian Strahl lab at UNC Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill Bell Tower at night with blue lights up and a dark purple sky in the background

$UNC CH CryoEM Core – High‑resolution Highlights of 2025 CryoEM Publications • Core acknowledged in 9 publications for 2025. • Core staff published an Affinity Grid method paper. • Over 110 maps were deposited in the EMDB. CryoEM Operations • Imaged 1,200 cryogrids. • Completed 154 Vitrobot sessions. • Fabricated 192 TEM grids (GO, carbon, and affinity). • Supported 48 individuals from 32 labs. CryoEM Education • Vitrobot certifications: 3 students. • CryoTEM certifications: 2 students. • Lipid Affinity Grid training: 3 students. Laboratory Space • TEM grid storage space reconfigured. • Clipping station upgraded. • Microscope control room restructured. New Equipment • Upgraded Vitrobot Mark IV to Mark IV+. • Installed TF5 MicroED package, including CetaD sensor and EPU‑D software for electron diffraction data collection. New Techniques • Lipid Affinity Grids. • PUAXNO TEM grids. • Filter tips for back‑blotting. • SerialEM upgrades.$