内容简介：
【简介】 The Department of Biochemistry builds on a long tradition of excellence in basic research that has led to important practical advances. A modern department, with emphases in cellular regulation, molecular genetics, protein structure, hormone action, virology, and developmental biology, has been built on this strong historical foundation.
The department was founded in 1883. In the century since, its contributions have dramatically changed our understanding of the chemical basis of life and have illuminated how a molecular understanding of basic biological problems can improve the human condition. The Department's historical contributions are many and varied, and rank among the highlights in the emergence and rise to prominence of biochemistry and molecular biology. Among the important discoveries made at the Department of Biochemistry are the:
Development of the first reliable measurements of milk quality Discovery of Vitamin A and the Vitamin B complex Discovery of the irradiation process for production of Vitamin D and elimination of rickets Isolation of niacin and elimination of pellagra Discovery of methods of treating nutritional anemia Isolation of active vitamin B6 derivatives Development of fermentation methods that led to the large-scale preparation of penicillin and other antibiotics Development of methods for preservation of sperm, triggering the artificial insemination industry Discovery of the anti-coagulants dicoumarol and warfarin and their uses against heart disease and as rodenticides Discovery of the key features of the incorporation of atmospheric nitrogen into amino acids First chemical synthesis of a gene Development of methods for the kinetic analysis of enzyme reactions Discovery and identification of the hormonal form of Vitamin D, and use of its analogs to treat disease
