What we do

What we do

The Department of Biochemistry is dedicated to understanding biological processes at the molecular level. We research how these processes drive cellular and organismal organisation and behaviour.

The department fosters both basic science and its application to medicine. Our researchers apply their expertise to biological systems ranging from microbes, through animal cells, tissues, and whole organisms.

We work across disciplinary boundaries in an environment that actively facilitates collaborative science. Our department provide shared access to state-of-the art infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies to facilitate our world-class research. The department also develops new technologies necessary to achieve our research goals.

Epigenetic Inheritance - but short of short RNAs!

A new paper on Epigenetic Inheritance is published by the Sarkies lab

Cancer beats the clock

New research unveils the important role of cell division timing mechanisms in the formation of cancer

Pancreatic cancer immune map provides clues for precision treatment targeting

Study shows why there are differences in prognosis between different pancreatic tumours and identifies potential...

Study shows why there are differences in prognosis between different pancreatic tumours and identifies potential avenues for improved treatment approaches

Identifying fake Covid-19 vaccines by analysing vial labels and vaccine liquids

Researchers at the University of Oxford and their collaborators, including the Serum Institute of India, have published...

Researchers at the University of Oxford and their collaborators, including the Serum Institute of India, have published an innovative method to identify falsified vaccines without opening...

Researchers at the University of Oxford and their collaborators, including the Serum Institute of India, have published an innovative method to identify falsified vaccines without opening the vaccine vial

DNA origami: a new frontier in epigenetic inheritance across generations

In a collaboration between two labs spanning both sides of the English Channel, scientists have discovered a new...

In a collaboration between two labs spanning both sides of the English Channel, scientists have discovered a new way in which the organisation of DNA within our cells affects genes...

In a collaboration between two labs spanning both sides of the English Channel, scientists have discovered a new way in which the organisation of DNA within our cells affects genes for generations

Novel method to detect fake vaccines using mass spectrometry

Research published today in the Nature portfolio journal npj Vaccines describes a new method capable of distinguishing...

Research published today in the Nature portfolio journal npj Vaccines describes a new method capable of distinguishing authentic and falsified (i.e. fake) vaccines using mass spect...

Research published today in the Nature portfolio journal npj Vaccines describes a new method capable of distinguishing authentic and falsified (i.e. fake) vaccines using mass spectrometry

How do naturally occurring antibodies recognise the malaria vaccine candidate PfRH5?

Brendan Farrell from the Higgins group, working with colleagues at the National Institute of Health, has played...

Brendan Farrell from the Higgins group, working with colleagues at the National Institute of Health, has played a major role in a new study which examines how naturally occurring human...

Brendan Farrell from the Higgins group, working with colleagues at the National Institute of Health, has played a major role in a new study which examines how naturally occurring human antibodies prevent malaria...

Brendan Farrell from the Higgins group, working with colleagues at the National Institute of Health, has played a major role in a new study which examines how naturally occurring human antibodies prevent malaria parasites from invading our blood cells

Novel techniques to screen for contaminants in medicinal syrups which have recently led to the death of hundreds of children

Last month a workshop was held at Jesus College, Oxford with 80 participants from 27 countries to discuss novel...

Last month a workshop was held at Jesus College, Oxford with 80 participants from 27 countries to discuss novel methods to detect contamination in medicinal syrups

Immune cells hunt down cancer around the body – discovery could lead to personalised treatments for advanced breast cancer

Scientists have discovered the key features of immune B cells which make them successful at targeting tumours –...

Scientists have discovered the key features of immune B cells which make them successful at targeting tumours – including when cancer has spread to a different part of the body

Research in mice identifies surprising consequences of a disturbed gut microbiome

Male mice fed a cocktail of antibiotics that kill natural bacteria in the gut have altered epigenetic information...

Male mice fed a cocktail of antibiotics that kill natural bacteria in the gut have altered epigenetic information in their sperm, which leads to adverse consequences for their offs...

Male mice fed a cocktail of antibiotics that kill natural bacteria in the gut have altered epigenetic information in their sperm, which leads to adverse consequences for their offspring

Visualising how a malaria parasite invades human red blood cells

Members of the Higgins group have made new discoveries about how malaria parasites get inside our red blood cells...

Members of the Higgins group have made new discoveries about how malaria parasites get inside our red blood cells which might help them to design new vaccines

COVID Moonshot initiative identifies novel antiviral compound

The first-ever crowd-sourced small molecule discovery effort has been published in Science

We widen the scope of biochemistry

We research at molecular, structural and cell level, sharing our learning and making connections across the field

Find out more

Elspeth Garman talks about the life of Sir John Kendrew

On the 18th October, Elspeth Garman spoke to the Royal Society of Chemistry's History group on Sir John K...

On the 18th October, Elspeth Garman spoke to the Royal Society of Chemistry's History group on Sir John Kendrew

International Women’s Day: Biochemistry celebrates “Women in Science” at the History of Science Museum

On the 11th of February the History of Science Museum organised their “Women in Science” event

Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar 2023

The Department of Biochemistry hosted a range of exciting activities under the banner of “Life at the Microscopic...

The Department of Biochemistry hosted a range of exciting activities under the banner of “Life at the Microscopic Scale” at the Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar Beyond festival

What we do

What we do

The Department of Biochemistry is dedicated to understanding biological processes at the molecular level. We research how these processes drive cellular and organismal organisation and behaviour.

Latest discoveries

Epigenetic Inheritance - but short of short RNAs!

Cancer beats the clock

Pancreatic cancer immune map provides clues for precision treatment targeting

Identifying fake Covid-19 vaccines by analysing vial labels and vaccine liquids

DNA origami: a new frontier in epigenetic inheritance across generations

Novel method to detect fake vaccines using mass spectrometry

How do naturally occurring antibodies recognise the malaria vaccine candidate PfRH5?

Novel techniques to screen for contaminants in medicinal syrups which have recently led to the death of hundreds of children

Immune cells hunt down cancer around the body – discovery could lead to personalised treatments for advanced breast cancer

Research in mice identifies surprising consequences of a disturbed gut microbiome

Visualising how a malaria parasite invades human red blood cells

COVID Moonshot initiative identifies novel antiviral compound

We widen the scope of biochemistry

Sharing biochemistry

Elspeth Garman talks about the life of Sir John Kendrew

International Women’s Day: Biochemistry celebrates “Women in Science” at the History of Science Museum

Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar 2023

What we do

What we do

The Department of Biochemistry is dedicated to understanding biological processes at the molecular level. We research how these processes drive cellular and organismal organisation and behaviour.

Latest discoveries

Epigenetic Inheritance - but short of short RNAs!

Cancer beats the clock

Pancreatic cancer immune map provides clues for precision treatment targeting

Identifying fake Covid-19 vaccines by analysing vial labels and vaccine liquids

DNA origami: a new frontier in epigenetic inheritance across generations

Novel method to detect fake vaccines using mass spectrometry

How do naturally occurring antibodies recognise the malaria vaccine candidate PfRH5?

Novel techniques to screen for contaminants in medicinal syrups which have recently led to the death of hundreds of children

Immune cells hunt down cancer around the body – discovery could lead to personalised treatments for advanced breast cancer

Research in mice identifies surprising consequences of a disturbed gut microbiome

Visualising how a malaria parasite invades human red blood cells

COVID Moonshot initiative identifies novel antiviral compound

We widen the scope of biochemistry​

Sharing biochemistry

Elspeth Garman talks about the life of Sir John Kendrew

International Women’s Day: Biochemistry celebrates “Women in Science” at the History of Science Museum

Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar 2023

We widen the scope of biochemistry