Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biochemistry

The PhD in Biochemistry is a research-intensive degree that is supplemented with classroom study. Timelines and other requirements for the PhD Degree in Biochemistry at Duke can be found in the BCH Graduate Student Handbook. Faculty Expectation for the Completion of a Successful Ph.D. Degree: To earn the Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry at Duke University, the Faculty of the Department of Biochemistry expects each graduate student to produce an independent body of original, high-quality scientific work. Though circumstances vary, this work will result in authorship on typically two peer-reviewed publications, including those on which the student is first author, prior to or soon after graduation. The departmental faculty is actively and productively engaged in a wide range of research projects. Topics under study include: enzyme mechanisms, catalytic ribonucleic acids (ribozymes), signal transduction, cell cycle control, cytoskeleton structure, prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, genetic diseases, glycoproteins, DNA topoisomerases, DNA partitioning/segregation, plasma membrane receptors, cellular differentiation, gene regulation, mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA repair defects in tumor biology, processing of DNA, mRNA decay and translational control, multidrug resistance and tolerance, membrane biogenesis, endocytosis, insertion of proteins into membranes, ion channel structure and function, metalloproteins, post translational modification, drug design, analysis and design of protein and RNA structure, and X-ray crystallography and NMR studies on macromolecular structure and folding. The department is located in a large, research-oriented medical center, which is immediately adjacent to the arts and sciences campus. As a consequence, the range of expertise and equipment available is extensive.