Department of Biochemistry

About Us

We welcome scientists, educators, and trainees from all backgrounds to join us in conducting biochemical research at the forefront of current knowledge; helping medical students, graduate students and fellows to reach their full potential; and serving the institution, the extended scientific community, and society at large. Our particular focus is the characterization of macromolecules and biological processes at the molecular level. Research groups in the department determine the structures of biological macromolecules, elucidate the mechanisms by which they function, and translate this information to advance research technology and medicine.

Research Advances

Newsletters

Bioscience Graduate Programs

Internal

Biochem's YouTube Channel

Outreach Opportunities

Help Progress

Help the Department of Biochemistry progress. Even a small contribution makes a difference.

Thank you!

Donate

Latest News

News

Apr 16, 2025

Wes Sundquist named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in the world

Time Magazine listed Wes as one of 2025's 100 most influential people for his lab’s research leading to a highly effective drug that prevents HIV infections.

Wes Vitae 2025 External link: (https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/research/vitae)

News

Apr 07, 2025

Vitae 2025 Featuring Wes Sundquist

Please join us for the Vitae 2025 event on April 26, 2025, featuring Wes Sundquist's 'Driven by Curiosity' Vignette Video and other 'Stories Behind the Science' presentations.

Learn More / RSVP (External Link)

News

Apr 01, 2025

Benchmarks Newsletter (2025 Spring)

Please find our Spring 2025 “Benchmarks” Newsletter for the Department of Biochemistry downloadable below.

Download (0.27MB)

Jared Rutter External link: (https://www.research.utah.edu/funding/past-awardees/distinguished-research-award-recipients/)

News

Mar 13, 2025

Jared Rutter selected as a recipient of the University of Utah Distinguished Research Award for 2025

For important contributions he has made in research and scholarship in his field, Jared Rutter was awarded the U of U Distinguished Research Award for 2025.

Past Awardees (External Link)

Minna Roh-Johnson External link: (https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/education/avp-office/programs/academy-med-education/awards/winners)

News

Mar 04, 2025

AHSE 2025 Outstanding Educator Award

Minna Roh-Johnson was selected to receive the Academy of Health Science Educators 2025 Outstanding Educator Award of Health Sciences Graduate Students for creating a culture of exceptional education in the...

Visit Site (External Link)

Structure of a particle of HIV. External link: (https://www.science.org/content/article/breakthrough-2024)

News

Dec 12, 2024

Science's 2024 Breakthrough of the Year

The Sundquist, Hill, and Pornillos labs laid the foundation for the development of a highly effective, long-lasting prophylactic against HIV, which has been named the Breakthrough of the Year by...

Science's 2024 Breakthrough of the Year (External Link)

More News

Faculty Spotlight

Amy Barrios, PhD

Amy Barrios, the newest faculty member in Biochemistry, is perhaps our only Salt Lake City native. Inspired at a young age by her grandfather, a chemical engineer who helped develop solid rocket fuel for the space shuttle and sponsored her first membership in the AAAS, Amy's interest in chemistry grew while she was a student at Highland High School. She loved the AP Chemistry labs and summer programs at the U, so it was an easy decision to accept a full-ride scholarship from the Department of Chemistry. As an undergraduate at the U, she worked in the Department of Radiobiology synthesizing chelators that would bind to plutonium and other radioactive metal ions and remove them from the body.

Continued...

Barrios Website