Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UMass Amherst

Elizabeth standing in a classrom looking at a shelf full of plants with a colleague

Elizabeth Vierling elected to the National Academy of Sciences

The NAS provides independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology.
Read More

Department News

All News
  • Image of a protein (red) that has been glycosolated with glycans (blue and green)

    Hebert Lab makes breakthrough in understanding protein folding

    New research, published in the journal Molecular Cell, uses an innovative technique called glycoproteomics to explore how the location and composition of carbohydrates attached to serpins ensure that they fold correctly. This discovery opens the door to future advancement in understanding and eventually treating hundreds of diseases that result from misfolded proteins.
  • Headshot of Amy Springer outside in front of a building, smiling

    Amy Springer named 2023-24 ADVANCE Faculty Fellow

    Amy is one of 49 faculty members from across campus who will partner with UMass ADVANCE to promote gender and racial equity for faculty at UMass Amherst. Faculty Fellows provide recommendations and feedback to the team about ADVANCE programming and liaise with their departments to promote the ADVANCE program.
  • Alice and Hen-Ming standing in front of a stone wall, smiling

    Alice Cheung and Hen-Ming Wu receive four-year, $1.5 million NIH grant

    The Cheung/Wu lab will use this grant to continue their long-standing research on the basic mechanisms behind how flowering plants produce seeds. Understanding reproduction in flowering plants, the source of grains and almost all vegetable and fruit crops, is critical for ensuring global nutritional needs and food security.
  • Image of the ASBMB logo, blue text on white background

    8 BMB Majors Earn Certification on ASBMB Exam

    The UMass Amherst BMB program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), which gives our majors the opportunity to take an exam and have their degree certified to demonstrate competitiveness against peers from across the nation.
  • Headshot of Sibongile Mafu, smiling

    Sibongile Mafu receives four-year, $625,000 NSF grant to untangle the chemical diversity of legumes

    Legumes are a vital part of our world’s food system, and their popularity continues to grow as more people seek out plant-based protein sources. The Mafu lab's research on Medicago truncatula will help improve its resilience and agricultural productivity to meet the growing demand.
  • Headshot of Li-Jun, smiling

    Li-Jun Ma receives 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award

    The prestigious Fulbright Program allows faculty, administrators, and researchers in the U.S. to teach, conduct research, and carry out professional projects around the world. Li-Jun will work with researchers in Serbia to address an emerging apple rot disease.

Advising

Meet with a BMB Peer Advisor!

BMB Peer Advisors are upperclassmen majoring in Biochemistry who are able to answer and resolve general advising questions. Boula, Anish, CeCe, Nandini, and Tiffany are available to meet with undergraduates throughout the semester. Ask them about:

  • Degree requirements for BMB
  • Course prerequisites
  • Advanced Electives
  • How to get into a research lab
  • Choices for Gen Ed classes
  • Use of SPIRE

 

Learn More
Headshots of the BMB Peer Advisors: Boula, Anish, CeCe, Nandini, and Tiffany

Explore Our Department

Award-winning teaching, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary programs in a diverse, inclusive community of excellence.