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Chemical Biology

	Patricia LiWang Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology Biochemistry and biophysics Structural biology of chemokines Applications to HIV and inflammatory diseases	pliwang@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4568 Full Profile
	Aleksandr Noy Adjunct Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry Bionanoelectronics Molecular self-assembly in systems with reduced dimensionality Inorganic nanowires and carbon nanotubes Biophysics and measurement of biological forces using scanning probe microscopy Nanofluidics, and molecular transport at nanoscale Nanotechnology	anoy@ucmerced.edu (925) 424-6203 Full Profile
	Michael E. Colvin Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Interim Director, Dept of Medical Education The past century has seen tremendous progress in determining the biochemical and biophysical processes that constitute life. One exciting consequence of this understanding is the possibility of developing mathematical models of biological function that are accurate and even predictive. Professor Colvin's research uses a wide range of simulation methods to model biological systems at different levels. Much of his research uses molecular modeling to study biochemical problems, with a particular emphasis on modeling the activity of DNA-binding food mutagens and anticancer drugs. These methods involve computing the structures and energetics of biomolecules using either quantum or classical mechanics, and often require the use of supercomputers. Other molecular modeling projects include studying: Synthetic analogs to nucleic acids and exotic nucleic acid structures The function of DNA-processing multiprotein complexes The mechanism of cytochrome P450 and other enzymes More recently, his research interests have expanded to include simulations of biophysical and cellular processes using equations that describe the system as continuous (and sometime stochastic) dynamical systems. These projects include: Simulating the formation mutagenic compounds during cooking The operation of the nuclear pore complex Cell fate decisions These projects offer a wide range of research projects for students interested in the application of mathematics and computers to understand the living world.	mcolvin@ucmerced.edu Full Profile
	Andy LiWang Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry The rising and setting of the sun causes dramatic oscillations in light and temperature each day. Most life forms involuntarily coordinate their lifestyles to these cyclic variations by means of an endogenous clock called the circadian clock. These circadian clocks have been identified in diverse organisms from cyanobacteria to humans, and studies suggest that the circadian clock has adaptive value. Professor LiWang's laboratory is resolving the structural and biochemical basis of rhythmicity of the cyanobacterial circadian clock. The central oscillator of this clock is composed of only three proteins, which by themselves in a test tube with ATP generate a self-sustained circadian rhythm for several days. Their objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how a simple mixture of three proteins keeps time.	aliwang@ucmerced.edu (209) 777-6341 Full Profile