Keck School of Medicine

Department-Specific Programs

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Faculty

Michael R. Stallcup, Chair and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Zoltan A. Tokes, Vice Chair for Doctoral Education and Master of Science Program

Joseph G. Hacia, Vice Chair for Medical Education

Catherine and Joseph Aresty Chair in Urologic Research: Chih-Lin Hsieh

Ralph Edgington Chair in Medicine: Zea Borok

Judy and Larry Freeman Chair in Basic Science Research: Amy S. Lee

H. Leslie Hoffman and Elaine S. Hoffman Chair in Cancer Research: Peter A. Jones

William M. Keck Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Peggy Farnham

J. Harold and Edna L. LaBriola Chair in Genetic Orthopaedic Research: Baruch Frenkel

Rita and Edward Polusky Chair in Basic Cancer Research: Michael Lieber

Provost Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy: Michael Kahn

Professors: N. Arnheim (Biological Sciences); Z. Borok (Medicine); E. Cadenas (Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology); P.V. Danenberg; Y.A. De Clerck (Medicine); R. Farley (Physiology and Biophysics); P. Farnham; B. Frenkel (Orthopaedics); C.L. Hsieh (Urology); D. Johnson; P.A. Jones (Urology); M. Kahn; V.K. Kalra; R. Langen; A.S. Lee; D. Levy; M. Lieber (Pathology); F.S. Markland, Jr.; R.E. Maxson; M.E. Nimni (Pediatrics); P. Patel; D. Polk (Pediatrics); M.R. Stallcup; Z. Tokes; A. Warshel (Chemistry)

Associate Professors: W. An; P. Cannon (Pediatrics); I.S. Haworth (Pharmacy); J. Hacia; Y. Hong (Surgery); I. Laird-Offringa (Surgery); P. Laird (Surgery); R.D. Mosteller; S. Reddy; J. Rice; H. Sucov (Cell and Neurobiology); T. Ulmer

Assistant Professors: R. Bajpai (Dentistry); S. Curran (Bio-Gerontology); M. Frey (Pediatrics); A. Kobielak (Otolaryngology); C. Lien (Pediatrics); A. Merrill (Dentistry); W. Lu; A. Siemer

Assistant Professors of Research: T. Miki; S. Swenson; D. Weisenberger; S. Zhong

The USC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology prides itself on maintaining a broad-based approach to various aspects of biochemical and molecular biological research. In 2010, the department received more than $10 million in research funding for its primary faculty members.

Altogether, the department numbers 49 primary and joint-appointment faculty members, who conduct research in a variety of areas including: molecular biology and genetics of development and cell differentiation; mammalian and human genetics; DNA methylation, replication, recombination and repair; membrane transport; kinetics and mechanism of enzyme action; protein structure-function interrelationships; carcinogenesis and cancer chemotherapy; and stem-cell biology.

The department also has major research programs in the molecular basis of control and regulation of gene expression, epigenetics, molecular mechanisms of signal processing and transduction, developmental and stem cell biology, detailed analysis of macromolecular structure and function, the biochemistry and molecular biology of the brain, and genetic medicine including gene therapy.

The department’s exceptionally strong research into various aspects of the biochemistry and cell biology of cancer is internationally recognized. Ongoing research programs in this area include mechanism of action of cancer chemotherapeutic agents, tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and cancer cell epigenetics and gene regulation.

Many members of the department are members of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Institute for Genetic Medicine (IGM), USC Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI), Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center maintains a microchemical core facility that includes capabilities for gas phase protein sequencing, amino acid analysis, peptide synthesis, DNA synthesis and sequencing. The Institute for Genetic Medicine maintains a customized microarray core facility. Other facilities available to support the research of members of the department include mass spectroscopy, transgenic mice, flow-cytometry, biostatistics, microchemical resource for DNA, and protein sequencing and synthesis core facilities.

The primary offices and laboratories of the department are located on the Health Sciences Campus.

Graduate Programs

Admissions

The prerequisite for applicants to the graduate program in biochemistry and molecular biology is a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in one of the natural sciences. Undergraduate course work should have included organic chemistry, the physics and mathematics required of a chemistry major and some courses in the biological sciences. A course in general biochemistry is also required, but may be taken during the period of graduate study. Previous course work in physical chemistry is strongly recommended. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the natural sciences (including mathematics) is normally required.

Applicants must pass satisfactorily the general portions of the Graduate Record Examinations. In addition, the department requires at least three letters of recommendation from faculty members who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate work and independent research.

Faculty members of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology participate in a variety of interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs. Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the fields related to biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and genetics should apply to USC’s Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS). Applications for the Ph.D. Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences should be submitted online through the PIBBS Website (usc.edu/pibbs).

Applications should be submitted before the application due date specified on the PIBBS Website. Applications for the M.S. program in biochemistry and molecular biology can be obtained from the department at the address listed below. In addition to the university application, a supplemental departmental application must be completed and returned with transcripts, GRE scores and letters of recommendation to: Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1333 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9151.

Fellowships

Students admitted to PIBBS are awarded fellowships which pay for tuition and provide a stipend. No fellowships are available for master’s degree students.

Master of Science

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers a program for the Master of Science degree. The primary objectives of this program are to provide the necessary theoretical preparation for biochemical careers and to expose students to biochemistry and molecular biology related research activities culminating with the Master of Science degree. Goals of the program are to train students in preparation for (1) further doctoral study, (2) advanced biochemical research positions in industry and academia and (3) teaching positions at the community college level.

In general, admission requirements are the same as for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The prerequisite for applicants to the graduate program in biochemistry is a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in one of the natural sciences. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the natural sciences (including mathematics) is normally required. Applicants must satisfactorily pass the general and advanced (chemistry, or biology or molecular biology) portions of the Graduate Record Examinations. In addition, the department requires at least three letters of recommendation from faculty members who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate work and independent research. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required. Special circumstances may provide consideration for conditional admission.

The master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology requires 34 units of elective graduate study to be determined by the student’s advisory committee. Fourteen or more course units must be taken in biochemistry and molecular biology; eight units may be pursued outside the department. Students interested in the commercial aspects of biotechnology may take courses focusing on business entrepreneurship, finance, management and marketing in the USC Marshall School of Business. Master’s students have the option of completing a research thesis allowing state-of-the-art laboratory-based investigation or a non-research-based theoretical thesis. Upon approval, a maximum of 10 units of directed research in biochemistry will be applied to the degree. Up to six units of graduate course work taken outside of USC may be applied toward the M.S. degree. Flexibility exists to plan each student’s program to suit individual needs, ambitions and background.

Master of Science, Molecular Epidemiology

A joint program with the Department of Preventive Medicine offers an M.S. degree in Molecular Epidemiology that requires 37 units of graduate study (see the program page for course requirements). Students must also complete a master’s thesis. Students can register for up to 10 units of master’s research units. Interested students should contact the Department of Preventive Medicine.

Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology

Faculty members in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology participate in the Molecular Epidemiology Ph.D. program. For admission information and degree requirements, see the Department of Preventive Medicine.

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