The Susan Hafenstein laboratory.
Scientific solutions to pressing problems
Probing the behaviors of molecules,
cells, and biological systems

Training the next generation of scientists through transformational teaching and learning to advance scientific solutions to societal problems.

Students from the Tim Mayashiro research group in the laboratory.
Two students working in the lab for BMB.
Undergraduate Programs

Learning about genomics, cloning, stem cells, cancer biology, microarrays, emerging diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

BMB majors lead to exciting and rewarding careers!
 

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BMB graduate students working in the laboratory with their adviser.

Make discoveries and generate new knowledge through independent, original dissertation research in BMMB laboratories.  

 

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BMMB Graduate Program

 

Job Opportunities 

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Faculty positions in Microbiology

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State invites applications for one or more tenure-track assistant, associate or full professor appointments in the area of Microbiology.

colony of the archaebacte
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Director, Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

The Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation was founded in 1992 to support and stimulate research and training, enhance collaboration, and increase the visibility of gene regulation research at Penn State.

Group photo of members of the Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
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Faculty positions in Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State invites applications for one or more tenure-track assistant, associate or full professor appointments in the area of eukaryotic gene regulation.

Group photo of members of the Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

 

 

 

Latest Research
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Virus may jump species through 'rock-and-roll' motion with receptors

Dr. Susan Hafenstein part of research team studying how Virus' may jump species through 'rock-and-roll' motion with receptors.

virus with animals illustration.
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Shipley, Rathbun and Szpara publish research on HSV-1 enrichment from clinical specimens

To date more than 400 genomes of herpes simplex virus 1 and the distantly related HSV-2 have been examined using deep sequencing techniques.

Shipley, Rathbun and Szpara publish research on HSV-1 enrichment from clinical specimens
View the paper, published in Epigenetics & Chromatin
Lila Reiber and Shaun Mahony Publish paper on jointly estimating 3D genome structures from two Hi-C experiments

Joint inference and alignment of genome structures enables characterization of compartment-independent reorganization across cell types

Joint inference and alignment of genome structures enables characterization of compartment-independent reorganization across cell types
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A message from the Department Head

We are a group of more than 60 faculty who work together with undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate trainees as well as dedicated research and professional staff to advance our scientific, educational and service goals.

Wendy Hanna-Rose.
Being among the top 50 research universities, I knew that I could pursue my interests in biochemistry while being among world-class faculty.
Department Research
Emily Snell, Microbiology Major, Class of 2019
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department

Our faculty are recognized leaders in their fields and are dedicated to their research as well as educating the next generation of scientists.

Featured Faculty
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Dr. Meredith Defelice
Meredith Defelice
Associate Head of Undergraduate Affairs & Associate Teaching Professor
Dr. Kenneth Keiler
Kenneth Keiler
Associate Department Head for Graduate Affairs & Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Joseph Reese.
Joseph Reese
Associate Department Head for Research and Faculty Development & Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Lion Shrine
 
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