Karishma Bhasne, senior research fellow in the Gierasch Lab, works specifically with the SNAP-25 protein. Her latest findings, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, highlight how the Hsc70 and CSPa chaperones prepare SNAP-25 for its role transmitting signals between neurons.
Prof. Peter Chien is co-PI on this project, which supports data-intensive research and education by providing scalable solutions for high-performance computing and data management. The award will help the team develop a computing system to meet UMass’ increasing computational needs while prioritizing energy efficiency.
Prof. Dan Hebert passed away on December 8th, 2024 at the age of 62. He served as a faculty member in the BMB department for 27 years, and will be remembered for his quick wit and passion for science.
John “Jack” Nordin, former BMB Professor and Department Head, passed away on April 17th, 2024, at the age of 89. He will be remembered by his colleagues as a constant positive presence who helped the department grow into a strong and exciting community.
The UMass Amherst BMB program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), which gives our majors the opportunity to have their degree certified to demonstrate their disciplinary proficiency against a national standard.
Their research, published in Nature Microbiology, opens the door to treatments and strategies that can slow, if not control, the as-of-yet unchecked spread of the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) tropical race 4 (TR4).
Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explain how the selenoprotein Sep15 works with the enzyme UGGT to identify and tag misfolded proteins so they can be destroyed before causing disease.
Bob Zimmermann, one of BMB's original faculty, passed away on May 9th, 2024 at the age of 86. He will be remembered by his departmental colleagues as a good friend, a model professor, and a fair colleague who was willing to step up for just causes.
The Rising Researcher program recognizes undergraduates at UMass Amherst who excel in research, challenge their intellect, and exercise exceptional creativity. Owen's research in the Gierasch Lab aims to improve our understanding of the folding of secreted proteins during their passage through the endoplasmic reticulum in human cells.