Robert E. Maxson, Vice Chair for Doctoral Education
Zoltan A. Tokes, Vice Chair for the Master's Degree Program
Robert H. Stellwagen, Vice Chair for Medical Education
H. Leslie Hoffman and Elaine S. Hoffman Chair in Cancer Research: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D.
William M. Keck Chair in Biochemistry: Laurence H. Kedes
Salerni Collegium Professorship in Medicine: Robert E. Maxson
Professors: W.F. Anderson; N. Arnheim (Biological Sciences); E. Cadenas (Molecular Pharmacy and Toxicology); P.V. Danenberg; Y.A. De Clerck (Medicine); P.P. Dukes (Pediatrics); E. Farley (Physiology and Biophysics); T.H. Fife; P.A. Jones; V.K. Kalra; L.H. Kedes; A.S. Lee; D. Levy; F.S. Markland, Jr.; M.E. Nimni (Pediatrics); P. Roy-Burman (Pathobiology); S. Schiffman (Medicine); M.R. Stallcup (Pathobiology); R.H. Stellwagen; Z. Tokes; A. Warshel (Chemistry)
Associate Professors: D. Broek; D. Johnson (Molecular Pharmacy and Toxicology); R.E. Maxson; R.D. Mosteller
Assistant Professors: J. Fountain; I.S. Haworth (Pharmacy); S. Reddy; J. Reichardt; H. Sucov
Assistant Professors of Research: V. Sartorelli; M.A. Sussman
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. Each year, the department receives approximately $3.6 million in research and fellowship support for its 20 primary faculty members.
Altogether, the department numbers 30 primary and joint-appointment faculty members, who offer specialized guidance in a variety of areas including: molecular biology and genetics of development and cell differentiation; membrane biochemistry and cell-cell recognition; kinetics and mechanism of enzyme action; protein structure-function interrelationships; carcinogenesis and cancer chemotherapy.
The department has major research programs in the molecular biological basis for control and regulation of gene expression, molecular mechanisms of signal processing and transduction, detailed analysis of macromolecular structure and function, and the biochemistry and molecular biology of the brain.
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 chemical carcinogenesis, mechanism of action of cancer chemotherapeutic agents, tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and regulation of gene expression.
Several members of the department are members of the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, including Drs. Broek, Danenberg, Jones, Lee, Markland, Maxson and Tokes.
The center maintains a microchemical core facility which includes capabilities for gas phase microprotein sequencing, amino acid analysis, peptide synthesis and DNA synthesis. Other facilities available to support the research of members of the department include tissue culture, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and biostatistical core facilities.
The primary offices and laboratories of the department are located in the Hoffman Medical Research Center on the Health Sciences Campus. Faculty of the department also maintain offices and research facilities in the Norris Cancer Hospital and Research Institute located on the Health Sciences Campus and in the Cancer Research Laboratory located on nearby Mission Road. Members of the faculty are supported by 35 research fellows and a clerical staff of four.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995