Department of Biochemistry hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium, research retreat

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Biochemistry hosted dozens of biomedical scientists during the 2nd Undergraduate Research Symposium-- a forum for the presentation of research projects conducted by students enrolled in Virginia colleges and universities.

The symposium included students from VCU, the University of Richmond, Virginia Union University and Randolph-Macon College, who presented research posters on a variety of topics, such as the crystal structure of DNA repair enzymes and the migration of osteoblasts-- bone-forming stem cells -- into model membranes.

Students also were able to participate in the inaugural Signaling and Metabolism of Bioactive Lipids Research Retreat. Held in conjunction with the symposium, the retreat featured poster presentations by pre- and post-doctoral scientists whose research interests focused on areas such as bone and mineral metabolism and lipoprotein structure and function.

Participants also shared their data and ideas with researchers from VCU and the other institutions and acted as graduate school ambassadors.

For more information on the Department of Biochemistry, visit http://www.vcu.edu/biochem/.