Biochemistry

The Laboratories of Biochemistry provide two courses for the curriculum.

Principles of Biochemistry is a first-year core course that covers basic and specialized aspects of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology and molecular genetics. Connections between the molecular sciences and veterinary medicine are emphasized.

Biochemical Basis of Diseases is a third-year elective course focusing on the molecular mechanisms of disease, and the translation of these mechanisms into effective approaches for diagnosis and treatment.

The faculty are practicing scientists in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.

Faculty

Contact

Anna S. Kashina, Ph.D. Head, Laboratories of Biochemistry
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
215-898-7863 (office phone/voice mail)
215-573-5189 (office fax)
hodynski@vet.upenn.edu
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010

Faculty Focus

Anna Kashina, PhD

Associate Professor, Biochemistry

Genomes of higher mammals encode an estimated 40,000 proteins, however the complexity of the functions performed by these proteins in vivo is at least an order of magnitude higher.

This complexity is achieved in a large part by posttranslational modifications that modulate structure and functions of proteins after synthesis, thus increasing the variety of forms in which the proteins encoded by the same gene can exist in vivo.

Evidence suggests that posttranslational modifications constitute a major mechanism for regulation of normal metabolism and disease in higher vertebrates.

Discovery and understanding of new posttranslational modifications and uncovering the biological role of the poorly understood modifications constitutes a major emerging field.