Department of Biochemistry

Department of Biochemistry Overview

Modern biochemical research is based on the premise that life can ultimately be explained as a coordinated series of chemical reactions. Historically, biochemistry began in the 19th century with the chemical description of biological compounds and the study of metabolic pathways. The field grew steadily through the first half of the 20th century, then explosively after the discovery of the genetic material that is DNA.

Today, biochemistry includes the structure and function of the protein, RNA, and membrane components that carry out life processes (structural biology and biophysics). It also includes regulation of the genes that encode these components (molecular and systems biology), functional integration of these components within cells and tissues (cell and developmental biology), and coordination of the myriad components responsible for complex behaviors in unicellular and multicellular organisms (neurobiology, immunology, physiology, and microbiology). Just as importantly, progress in basic science has inevitably led to progress in understanding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases as diverse as cancer, obesity, muscular dystrophy, and malaria.

The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington has contributed to many phases of this research. Initially recognized for incisive studies of the structure and function of proteins, and the mechanisms of enzyme action, the department branched out into a multitude of other areas. These included: developmental biology of flies, fish, frogs, and mice; molecular mechanisms of aging in yeast and mammals; vertebrate visual and immune responses; chromosome dynamics, cell division, DNA replication and repair; energy transduction during photosynthesis; protein secretion and membrane fusion; translational control and regulated protein degradation; protein structure determination by crystallography and NMR spectroscopy; and protein structure prediction and enzyme design.

Our diversity of interests guarantees a rich intellectual and educational environment. Graduate education is an especially strong tradition within the department, and our graduates occupy positions in universities and research centers around the world. The faculty has received recognition at many levels, from membership in the National Academy of Sciences to many honorary degrees and awards. Two of our faculty members and one former student have been awarded the Nobel Prize. We are excited by our own research, as you can see by examining the current research statements of the faculty. A conspicuous spirit of collegiality and experimental collaboration prevails both within the department and throughout the university, assuring an energetic, integrative, and enjoyable research environment.

History

The Department of Biochemistry was established in 1950 in the newly founded School of Medicine. The first chairman was Hans Neurath. By 1965, the department had grown from 5 faculty members to more than 20 faculty members housed in 35,000 square feet of the newly constructed J-wing. In 1983, a sixth floor was added to accommodate laboratories for four of our faculty (Drs. Glomset, Hurley, Krebs, and Palmiter) affiliated with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). In 1995, the contiguous $70 million K-wing was completed to provide new laboratories for several of our faculty (Drs. Hol, Klevit, Stenkamp, Verlinde, and Merritt) as well as other research programs in molecular medicine.

Since the founding of the department, biochemistry has advanced faster, and has assumed a more central role in biological research, than could ever have been imagined. The department has grown accordingly in size and strength. New faculty have joined us while others advanced to positions elsewhere.

Six current faculty and one former faculty member have been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, one is a Fellow of the British Royal Society, and a dozen former faculty members and graduates now chair biochemistry departments elsewhere in the United States. Two of our emeritus faculty, Drs. Krebs and Fischer, shared the 1992 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the regulatory role of protein phosphorylation. A former student, Dr. Martin Rodbell, shared in the 1994 Nobel Prize for his discovery of the role of G-proteins in signal transduction.

The pursuit of excellence, a dedication to research, and a spirit of collegiality and friendship continue to be hallmarks of the department. Our innovative research programs are supported by awards totaling over $19 million annually from the National Institutes of Health (third among departments of biochemistry nationwide), and by significant additional support from the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and other funding agencies. Overall, the University of Washington receives more than $441 million annually in NIH funding, second only to Johns Hopkins University. Ongoing interactions with the local biotechnology sector include the creation in 1993 of the endowed E. W. Davie/ZymoGenetics Chair honoring one of our senior faculty, Dr. Earl Davie, who cofounded the ZymoGenetics Corporation of Seattle.

The University of Washington Campus

With 35,000 students, the University of Washington is one of the nation's outstanding universities. The 680 acre campus is located in an attractive residential area on the shores of Lake Washington and Portage Bay, only minutes from downtown Seattle. The cultural heart of western Washington, Seattle is home to a highly acclaimed opera company, an excellent symphony orchestra, many fine museums, art galleries, theaters, and restaurants, as well as the world-famous open-air Pike Place Market.

The Washington State Ferry system links Seattle to the nearby residential and recreational islands of Puget Sound, and to the mountains and towns of the Olympic Peninsula. The Cascade Mountains to the east, and Olympic Mountains to the west, are only an hour away from Seattle, and provide superb recreational opportunities for skiing, hiking, camping, biking, and rock climbing. Lake Washington, the San Juan Islands, and Puget Sound are focal points for sailing, kayacking, and other water sports. With mountains to the east and west, and the saltwater expanse of Puget Sound nearby, Seattle enjoys a moderate climate year round.

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington has 16 schools and colleges offering instruction in more than 100 academic disciplines by an internationally recognized faculty. The instructional programs draw students from every part of the country and from overseas. Undergraduates account for about 75 percent of the student body, while 25 percent are enrolled in graduate and professional programs. Faculty and student research efforts are awarded more than $933 million annually in external funding, a total achieved by only a handful of the top universities in the United States. The strong research climate contributes directly to the educational goals of graduate, undergraduate, and professional students.

In addition to its academic, research, and service missions, the University of Washington has a broad economic impact on the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The University is a significant source of jobs and income for the state, generating more than $1.9 billion of economic activity each biennium. The University also plays a critical role in attracting new businesses to the region, and has been instrumental in developing a flourishing local biotechnology industry. Collaborations between faculty and local biotechnology firms are common, and graduates of the University of Washington often choose employment in the greater Seattle area.