Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at New Jersey Medical School. We are part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey on the Newark Campus. We are also part of the university's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. We are committed to advancing the understanding of cell function at the molecular and biochemical level through teaching and research. The research activities of the department are focused on a broad range of biomedical research, including translational and transcriptional control, HIV gene expression and function, cancer cell biology, opioid receptor signaling, RNA processing and many others. Our fundamental rationale is that a true understanding of disease can only be achieved by addressing the basic mechanistic features of cellular biochemistry and molecular biology. We employ a variety of experimental approaches and model systems to perform our investigations and foster the use of a broad range of up-to-date methodologies, including mass spectrometry, RNA interference and functional genomics.

Our department is committed to training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We offer a variety of courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, and molecular genetics. While training for the masters of science or doctorate of philosophy degree, students regularly participate in numerous departmental and program events such as journal clubs and research seminars, as well as local and international research conferences and symposia.

The following pages describe our departmental research and teaching activities. They also provide contact information which you are encouraged to use if you would like to learn more about us.

Michael B. Mathews, PhD
Professor and Chairman