Biochemistry
What is biochemistry?
Biochemistry is the fundamental subject in all of the biological and medical sciences and has been the foundation for many of the great scientific discoveries such as solving the structure of DNA and elucidating the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis; for more examples see below.
Almost half of all of the Nobel prizes in the fields of Physiology/Medicine and of Chemistry have been given to discoveries in Biochemistry. Biochemistry has unveiled the molecular blueprint of living systems without which many of the drugs and disease therapies in use today would not exist. The fact that Ireland is 2nd in the world per capita in the export of pharmaceutical medicines and medical devices is a credit to the strong biochemical background of the workforce. With the advent of the ‘smart economy', there are plenty more of these types of opportunities for us here and abroad.
More examples of the importance of Biochemistry:
- A double helical strand of DNA binding an assortment of proteins that unwind the DNA in order to transcribe it into messenger RNA (mRNA).
[The major event in human maturation and cellular repair]
- Mismatched nucleotide base pairs in DNA, originating from sunlight damaged skin cells, being repaired by our body's enzymes.
[The major way skin cancer is avoided]
- The huge ATP synthase - much like a water turbine being propelled in a hydroelectric power plant - taking advantage of the electrochemical gradient of H+ ions generated by the mitochondrial respiratory chain to make ATP, our energy currency.
[The major method of how cells obtain energy]
- One molecule of aspirin bound to its physiological partner, the enzyme cyclooxygenase, thereby blocking the entire cascade of reactions that may eventually lead to pain, inflammation, blood clots (deep-vein thrombosis), heart attacks and strokes.
[The major mechanism by which our most common drug works]
- Genetically-engineered mammalian cells, cultured in massive amounts in huge bioreactors (5-25 kilolitres), to produce cancer-targeting monoclonal antibodies that kill cancer cells.
[The world's newest major blockbuster drugs]
What do we do?
In Biochemistry we study the molecular basis of life. Within our School the scientific questions explored cover a wide-range of topics including cancer biology, obesity, diabetes, neurobiology, neurodegeneration, autoimmunity, parasitology, immune-metabolism, protein structure and drug development. The intellectual life of the School has recently being enriched by our relocation to a state-of-the-art facility, the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, which has enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues in immunology, medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and neuroscience.
Why study biochemistry at Trinity?
We are a collegial and energetic community of researchers with a genuine enthusiasm and passion for teaching. As a training environment we provide expertise in a wide-range of techniques that address the molecular and cellular mechanisms essential to understanding health and disease. Our commitment to research-led teaching means that Biochemistry delivers an education of the highest international standard.
In Biochemistry there is an emphasis on developing practical skills and on the cultivation of independent thinking and critical analysis. As a result, graduates of Biochemistry are recognised worldwide for their excellent practical and scientific knowledge. Our graduates are invariably recruited to the most prestigious research institutes worldwide including Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Apart from biomedical research, a myriad of career pathways are open to graduates including careers in the pharmaceutical industry, companies that conduct clinical trials, hospital laboratory sciences, scientific journalism, broadcasting and media, finance, and teaching. Biochemistry also provides excellent training for graduate entry into medicine.
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