Structural Biology and Biophysics
General Information
Degree offered:
Certificate program. Ph.D. offered through one of the participating departments (Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology)
Faculty working with students:
26
Students: 2
Students receiving Financial Aid:
100%
Deadline for Fall 2008 Application: December 15 (priority deadline)
Spring Application:
consult program
Part time study available:
no
Test required:
GRE General
Program Description
The University Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics at Duke centers on those research endeavors that use physical measurements to study biological macromolecules and their interactions, where the details of molecular structure are critical to understanding the biological problem in question. The focus is on resolving molecular structures at atomic resolution; the breadth extends to detecting molecular events and describing structural relationships in a chemically meaningful way. There is a commonality in the intellectual approaches and experimental techniques. Research problems that fit the paradigm include: 3-D structure determination by crystallography and NMR; many problems approached by various diffraction and microscopy techniques; molecular modeling and design studies which are tied to direct experimental tests; many spectroscopic studies where construction of a molecular model is vital to planning further experiments; and functional studies in biochemistry, genetic mechanisms, drug interactions, membrane systems, etc., for which the details of molecular geometry are central to interpreting the experiments. Students participate in rotations in three laboratories before choosing an advisor.
Students may apply and be admitted directly to the University Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics. Prior to the second year of study at Duke, students must identify a participating department in which they will earn the Ph.D. NOTE: The Structural Biology and Biophysics Program is funded by an NIH grant, and support is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Foreign applicants should designate a department only (not the program)on the front of the application. Mention of the program is appropriate in the statement of purpose.