Biochemistry

Faculty List

Leadership

Chair of the Department 
L. Harrington, BSc, MSc, PhD

Associate Chair, Undergraduate Coordinator
TBA

Associate Chair, Graduate Coordinator
T.F. Moraes, BSc, MSc, PhD

Associate Chair, Research
L. Attisano, BSc, PhD

Professors 
K. Adeli, BSc, MSc, PhD 
D.W. Andrews, BSc, PhD 
S. Angers, BSc, PhD 
L. Attisano, BSc, PhD 
C.E. Bear, MSc, PhD 
G.W. Brown, BSc, PhD 
A. Chakrabartty, BSc, PhD 
H.S. Chan, BSc, PhD 
A.R. Davidson, BSc, PhD 
C.M. Deber, BSc, PhD, FRSC 
O.P. Ernst, Dipl-Chem, Dr rer nat 
J. Forman-Kay, BSc, PhD 
S. Grinstein, BSc, PhD, FRSC 
L. Harrington, BSc, MSc, PhD
W. Houry, BSc, PhD 
P.L. Howell, BSc, PhD
W. Kahr, MD, PhD, FRCPC
A. Kapus, PhD, MD 
L. Kay, BSc, PhD, FRSC, FRS 
F.W. Keeley, BSc, PhD 
S.O. Kelley, BA, PhD 
P.K. Kim, BSc, PhD 
A. Klip, MSc, PhD, FRSC
T.F. Moraes, BSc, MSc, PhD 
A. Muise, BSc, MD, PhD 
J.R. Nodwell, BSc, PhD 
M. Ohh, PhD, PDF 
J. Parkinson, BSc, PhD 
G. Privé, BSc, PhD 
S. Prosser, BSc, MSc, D Phil 
M.L. Rand, BSc, PhD 
J. Rini, BSc, PhD 
D. Rotin, BSc, PhD 
J. Rubinstein, BSc, PhD 
C.J. Schuurmans, BSc, MSc, PhD
F. Sicheri, BSc, PhD, FRSC 
I. Stagljar, BSc Dipl-Mol Biol, PhD
W. Trimble, BSc, PhD, FRSC 
C.M. Yip, BASc, PhD

Associate Professors 
A.W. Ensminger, BSc, PhD
J-P Julien, BSc, PhD  
W. Lee, MD, PhD
A. McQuibban, BSc, MSc, PhD 
K. Maxwell, BSc, PhD 
J.T. Maynes, BSc, MD, PhD 
R.A. Melnyk, BSc, PhD 
A.F. Palazzo, BSc, PhD 
R. Pomès, B Eng, PhD 
R. Screaton, BSc, PhD 
S. Sharpe, BSc, PhD 
C.A. Smibert, BSc, PhD 
J. Watts, BSc, PhD 
A.R. Wilde, BSc, PhD

Professor, Teaching Stream 
S. Andreopoulos, BSc, MSc, PhD

Associate Professors, Teaching Stream
A. Khan-Trottier, BSc, PhD 
S. Patterson, BSc, PhD
N. Lee, BSc, MSc, PhD

Assistant Professors 
J. Ditlev, BSc, PhD 
S.A. Freeman, BSc, PhD 
H. Lee, BSc, PhD 
M. Lemaire, MD, PhD 
M. Norris, BSc, MSc, PhD 
A.N. Sawh, HBSc, PhD 
H. Wyatt, BSc, PhD

Emeriti
R.R. Baker, BSc, PhD
A. Bennick, M Sc D, PhD
N. Camerman, BSc, PhD
D.M. Clarke, BSc, PhD
J.R. Glover, BSc, PhD
J.W. Gurd, BA, PhD
C.J. Ingles, BSc, PhD
D.E. Isenman, BSc, PhD
A.O. Jorgensen, PhD
V.K. Kalnins, MSc, PhD
H.G. Lawford, BSc, PhD
P.N. Lewis, BSc, PhD
A. Marks, MD, PhD
L.A. Moran, BSc, PhD
E.F. Pai, Dipl-Chem, Dr rer nat
R.H. Painter, BSc, PhD (T)
D.E. Pulleyblank, BSc, PhD
R.A.F. Reithmeier, BSc, PhD
H. Schachter, BA, MD, PhD, FRSC
J.M. Segall, BSc, PhD
C.H. Siu, BA, PhD
B. Steipe, MD, PhD
D.O. Tinker, BSc, PhD
D.B. Williams, MSc, PhD
G.R. Williams, BSc, PhD, D Sc (S), FRSC

Introduction

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living organisms. Biochemists seek a molecular explanation of life by attempting to understand its underlying principles. Biochemistry is concerned with the relevance of a molecule to an organism and the correlations between its structure and its function. Modern biochemistry grew out of the application of chemical techniques to biological problems and is the foundation of biological science and medicine. In many ways it combines biology and chemistry but the subject now covers such a broad range of activity that it is difficult to draw a neat border around biochemistry. Some of the most exciting areas of current biochemistry research include:

• structural biology
• enzyme mechanisms
• signal transduction and regulation
• biotechnology
• molecular cell biology
• gene expression and development
• metabolic diseases
• proteomics and bioinformatics
• molecular evolution
• protein folding
• membranes and transport

The Biochemistry Specialist Program is academically oriented and designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. The program offers broad training in problem solving specifically using a molecular approach. Biochemistry specialists gain experience in critical thinking and the skills required to evaluate scientific rationale. The Biochemistry Major Program offers students fundamental training in the science and gives each student in the program the chance to combine Biochemistry with another relevant Major Program. This may be within the Life Sciences or Basic Sciences, or may be within the arts. For example, the combination of Biochemistry with Economics or with English could provide students with training relevant to the fields of investment within biotechnology or scientific journalism. Students who excel within the Biochemistry Major Program may be offered the chance to enter the Specialist Program at the third year. Students who complete a B.Sc. in the Specialist Program are well prepared to continue their studies in graduate programs in Biochemistry and other Life Sciences. Graduates from either the Specialist or Major Programs may find employment in research and teaching. Employers include universities and colleges, government laboratories, clinical biochemistry laboratories, forensic laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and many other industries. Skills learned in the Biochemistry Specialist and Major Programs are also helpful in other areas such as marketing, finance, and law. Some biochemistry graduates continue their studies in medicine, dentistry or other health related programs. Regardless of where life takes them, our students benefit from a broad knowledge-based and logical framework that will help them navigate the waters ahead.

Students considering choosing either the BCH Specialist or BCH Major program are encouraged to attend program information sessions held throughout the academic year. Please note that the Specialist program is the clearest path to graduate studies in Biochemistry and to careers in research.

Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education, Dr. A. Ensminger, biochemistry.undergrad@utoronto.ca

Undergraduate Administrator, Jennifer Haughton, jennifer.haughton@utoronto.ca

For courses with enrolment restrictions, please contact Jennifer Haughton, jennifer.haughton@utoronto.ca

Enquiries: Medical Sciences Building, Room 5207 (416-978-2700)

Website: biochemistry.utoronto.ca