College of Chemistry

Jay Keasling talks to Japan's NHK World about Synthetic Biology

August 14, 2019
Direct Talk | NHK World Japan
Kesling spoke about the impact that interdisciplinary technology can have in people’s lives as well as addressing safety concerns.

Alumna Emily Derbyshire looks for malaria’s vulnerabilities

March 4, 2019
The Scientist | Shawna Williams
Derbyshire focused on how nitric oxide activates guanylate cyclase, which is a “tough enzyme” to work on.

Clayton Radke Awarded Ruben Medal

August 30, 2019
By Eric Craypo | UC Berkeley, School of Optometry
Radke has been awarded the Ruben Medal by the International Society for Contact Lens Research.

Omar Yaghi elected to the National Academy of Sciences

April 30, 2019
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release
Omar Yaghi, Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry, was announced today as one of a 100 new members, and 25 foreign members, of the National Academy of Sciences.

Unsung heroes of the College of Chemistry: how the Machine Shop fuels innovation

July 28, 2025
By Veronica Bartell | College of Chemistry
The Machine Shop is a vital, often unseen engine driving success at the College of Chemistry.

Richmond Sarpong joins new NSF Initiative on Computer-Assisted Synthesis

September 7, 2019
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release
Supported by the National Science Foundation, the team plans to create tools for a new generation of ‘data chemists’ by exploring the use of computers and machine learning to streamline how complex molecules, which form the basis for over 50% of the medicines on the market, are made.

Authors John Newman and Nitash Balsara release 'Electrochemical Systems', Fourth Edition

April 1, 2021
Frances Chaves | ECS-Blog

John Newman and Nitash Balsara

The long-anticipated fourth edition of Electrochemical Systems by John Newman and Nitash P. Balsara is now available.* The fourth edition updates all of the chapters, adds content on lithium battery electrolyte characterization and polymer electrolytes, and includes a new chapter on impedance spectroscopy. Topics covered include electrochemical theories as they relate to the...

Scientists discover new clue behind age-related diseases and food spoilage

February 26, 2020
Theresa Duque | Lawrence Berkeley Lab

criegee intermediate research

Scientists in the lab of Kevin Wilson (Ph.D. '03, Chem), at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made a surprising discovery that could help explain our risk for developing chronic diseases or cancers as we get older, and how our food decomposes over time. What’s more, their findings, which were reported recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), point to an unexpected link between the ozone chemistry in our atmosphere and our cells’ hardwired ability to ward off disease.

Megaphages harbor mini-Cas proteins ideal for gene editing

July 20, 2020
By Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley media relations

Illustration of a megaphage injecting its DNA into a gene

The DNA-cutting proteins central to CRISPR-Cas9 and related gene-editing tools originally came from bacteria, but a newfound variety of Cas proteins apparently evolved in viruses that infect bacteria. The new Cas proteins were found in the largest known bacteria-infecting viruses, called bacteriophages, and are the most compact working Cas variants yet discovered — half the size of today’s workhorse, Cas9.

Professor Christopher J. Chang awarded the Humboldt Research Award

January 8, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Portrait of Christopher J. Chang

Christopher J. Chang, Class of 1942 Chair Professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Berkeley, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award. The award, honoring internationally recognized researchers, includes a stay at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg where Professor Chang will be hosted by Professor Kai Johnsson....