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Program Description                            

We believe that the Biochemistry program at Geneseo is truly special. Our graduates routinely score in the 90th percentile or above on national assessment exams and are routinely sought-after by graduate schools and employers. We believe that Genseo students do well partly because of the interaction Geneseo students have with professors and with each other. Participants take many classes together and study together in the Biology and Chemistry buildings, so a great deal of comaraderie develops among the biochemistry majors. The atmosphere is very supportive. Another plus is that the students work with faculty on their own research projects. Students obtain hands-on experience with sophisticated equipment, much of which is usually found only in graduate school, and they are encouraged to present their work at local or national meetings/symposia.

 

A few examples of the projects students are currently working on include:

  • study of how small molecules such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons bind to DNA (Dr. McKnight)
  • study of how proteins fold (Dr. Yokoyama)
  • design and testing DNA strands for use in biomolecular computing and nanotechnology (Dr. Pogozelski)
  • study of Alzeimer's disease (Dr. Yokoyama)
  • study of the mechanism of anti-atherosclerosis drugs (Dr. Johnson)
  • synthesis and property analysis of gel materials (Professor Geiger)
  • real-time PCR quantification of mitochondrial DNA deletions in the disease Pearson's Syndrome (Dr. Pogozelski)
  • study of DNA damage induced by radiation (Dr. Pogozelski and Dr. O'Donnell)
  • study of the compound resveratrol in grape juice and wine (Dr. Boiani)
  • bioinformatics - study of mitochondrial DNA sequences (Dr. Pogozelski)
  • production of monoclonal antibodies for catalysis (Dr. Helms)
  • study of the molecular basis of movement in green algae (Dr. Hoops)
  • study of grape-ripening genes in New York State grapes (Dr. Chang)
  • gene comparisons in Antarctic sea stars (Dr. Bosch)


The degree is interdepartmental, stressing basic sciences and analytical skills. Extensive laboratory experience is acquired, making use of advanced instrumentation and techniques. Many students do research projects, either over the summer or in directed studies throughout the school year. Students are also given the opportunity to be tutors or teaching assistants in the chemistry or biology departments, thereby gaining additional useful experience. Graduates are well prepared for employment or further study in the fields of Biochemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. Alumni have also entered fields of Bioinformatics, Immunology, Bioorganic Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Pharmacology, Education, and Biochemical Engineering. The program is designed to give students the flexibility to choose electives that most closely mirror their interests.

Here are some of the programs graduates have gone to in the past few years:

  • University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D., biochemistry)
  • Yale University (Ph.D., neuroscience)
  • Cornell (Ph.D., biochemistry)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.D./Ph.D. program)
  • University of Buffalo (M.D.)
  • Upstate Medical (M.D./Ph.D.)
  • Penn State (Ph.D., biochemistry)
  • University of Wisconsin (Ph.D., biochemistry/biological chemistry)
  • Washington University (St. Louis; Ph.D., immunology)
  • University of Minnesota (Ph.D., biochemistry)
  • University of Rochester (Ph.D., immunology)
  • Cornell (veterinary school)
  • Dartmouth (Ph.D., biochemistry)
  • SUNY Stony Brook (Ph.D., biochemistry