Biochemistry

New therapy breakthrough changes the shape of treatment for undruggable diseases

February 24, 2022
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Illustration of DUBTAC target

DUBTAC in action against a target. (Courtesy Nomura Lab)

For some time, scientists have been working on the major challenge of developing new therapies against many human diseases. Many of these diseases are caused by the abberant action of certain proteins in our cells that are considered “undruggable”, or difficult to therapeutically target using classical drug...

Print, recycle, repeat: Scientists demonstrate a biodegradable printed circuit

September 1, 2022
Theresa Duque | Berkeley Lab

A Berkeley Lab-led research team has developed a fully recyclable and biodegradable printed circuit. The research could divert wearable devices and other flexible electronics from landfill, and mitigate the health and environmental hazards posed by heavy metal waste. (Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab)

According to the United Nations, less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste gets recycled. In 2021 alone, global e-waste surged at 57.4 million tons, and only 17.4% of that was...

Yeast produce low-cost, high-quality cannabinoids

February 27, 2019
By Robert Sanders, Media relations
UC Berkeley synthetic biologists have engineered brewer’s yeast to produce marijuana’s main ingredients—mind-altering THC and non-psychoactive CBD.

Groundbreaking collaborative research program will explore common characteristics of Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s

July 14, 2022
College of Chemistry Press Release
Assistant Professor Karthik Shekhar will participate in the Catalyst for a Cure sponsored by Glaucoma Research Foundation.

Discovery could lead to new fungicides to protect rice crops

February 13, 2023
By Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley media relations

healthy rice field

Blast disease destroys between 10% and 35% of the world’s rice harvest each year. A new discovery could lead to fungicides that block the pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae, from entering the leaves. This photo of a healthy rice field was taken in Chengdu, China, in 2019. (Photo credit: Nicholas Talbot)

A fungus that plagues rice crops worldwide gains entry to plant cells in a way that leaves...

An adjuvant made in yeast could lower vaccine cost and boost availability

May 8, 2024
By Robert Sanders | Berkeley News
Biosynthesis in yeast produces a cheaper immune-boosting ingredient of many vaccines.

ACS Publications names Chris Chang as the next Editor-in-Chief of Accounts of Chemical Research

November 14, 2023
ACS Press Release
Beginning in 2024, Professor Christopher J. Chang will take the helm as Editor-in-Chief of Accounts of Chemical Research.

Learning from the past: How algae use memory to protect against sudden changes in sunlight

December 7, 2023
by Alison Hatt | Berkeley Lab
Research from Graham Fleming finds the molecular mechanisms responsible for photoprotective memory in algae have implications for crop productivity.

Summer intern Arjun Garapaty designs microfluidic device

September 9, 2022
Story courtesy MRI Global

Arjun Garapaty at MRI Global

Arjun Garapaty during his summer internship at MRIGlobal. Photo courtesy of MRIGlobal.

Arjun Garapaty thinks big. It wasn’t that long ago that he earned a perfect score on his ACT test… as a sophomore in high school. Now a sophomore at University of California,...

Tiny microbes could brew big benefits for green biomanufacturing

May 10, 2023
By Theresa Duque | Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Green industrial illustration

A team of scientists from the College of Chemistry and Berkeley Lab find a new route in bacteria to decarbonize industry. The discovery could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of fuels, drugs, and chemicals. Specifically, the team is looking at a metabolic process in bacteria that could be a sustainable source of carbon-based...