Our biochemists study the chemical properties of key biological molecules and how these properties give rise to biological function in cellular and organismal contexts. These studies illuminate how molecular interactions and enzyme catalysis contribute to robust cellular activity, as well as how molecules that activate or inhibit biomolecule function work and may function therapeutically.
![Profile image of Ethel Bayer-Santos](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2024-06/Ethel%20650px.jpg)
Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
The EBSlab is focused on (micro)biological conflicts and the weapons used by bacteria to target competitors. The group uses Salmonella and a specialized contractile nanoweapon called T6SS to understand how enteric pathogens overcome colonization resistance imposed by members of the microbiota and establish an infection. The effectors secreted by the T6SS comprise a pool of proteins with interesting new biochemical activities, providing opportunities for several interdisciplinary projects encompassing microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology and bioinformatic.
![Profile image of Xiaolu (Lulu) Cambronne](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2023-01/headshotcrop_0.jpg)
Xiaolu (Lulu) Cambronne
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Bryan W. Davies](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/davies.png)
Bryan W. Davies
- Associate Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Daniel J. Dickinson](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/styles/200w/public/2022-06/20170828-new_faculty_headshots-259_.JPG.webp 200w,
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Daniel J. Dickinson
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Andrew Ellington](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/ellington.jpg)
Andrew Ellington
- Professor
- Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Regents Chair in Molecular Biology
- Wilson M. and Kathryn Fraser Research Professorship in Biochemistry
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Ilya J. Finkelstein](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Finkelstein-1-1.jpg)
Ilya J. Finkelstein
- Associate Professor
- Lorene Morrow Kelley Endowed Faculty Fellowship Fund
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of David W. Hoffman](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Hoffman-1-1.jpg)
David W. Hoffman
- Associate Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Andres Jara-Oseguera](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-12/Andr%C3%A9s%20Jara.jpg)
Andres Jara-Oseguera
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Arlen W. Johnson](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Johnson-a-1-1.jpg)
Arlen W. Johnson
- Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Kenneth Johnson](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Johnson-k-1-1.jpg)
Kenneth Johnson
- Professor
- Roger J. Williams Centennial Professorship in Biochemistry
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Zunlong Ke](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2024-02/ZunlongKe_headshot.jpg)
Zunlong Ke
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
The Ke Lab started in 2024 and is actively recruiting:
- graduate students
- postdoctoral fellows
![Profile image of Adrian T. Keatinge-Clay](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Keatinge-Clay-1-1.jpg)
Adrian T. Keatinge-Clay
- Associate Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Ken Keiler](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/ken-keiler_0.jpg)
Ken Keiler
- Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Daniel J. Leahy](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Leahy-1-1.jpg)
Daniel J. Leahy
- Professor
- Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Regents Chair in Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Despoina Mavridou](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2023-08/DespoinaMavridou_3.jpg)
Despoina Mavridou
- Assistant Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Tanya T. Paull](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Paull-1-1..jpg)
Tanya T. Paull
- Professor
- Burl G. and Lorene L. Rogers Chair in Human Health
- Professor of Oncology
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of David W. Taylor](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Taylor-1-1.jpg)
David W. Taylor
- Associate Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Blerta Xhemalce](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/Blerta-in-NYC_2.jpg)
Blerta Xhemalce
- Associate Professor
- Molecular Biosciences
![Profile image of Y. Jessie Zhang](https://directory.cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2022-07/yan_jessie_zhang.jpeg)
Y. Jessie Zhang
- Professor
- L. Leon Campbell, Ph.D. Distinguished Professorship in Biochemistry
- Molecular Biosciences