The Moody lab is led by Dr. James Moody, professor of biochemistry here at BYU. His lab specializes in protein crystallization. Recently they have been developing a new technology called TELSAM. This "helper protein" is a multivalent crystallization chaperone that helps other proteins crystallize more easily, allowing us to see protein structures at an atomic level. Seeing these structures can help us understand protein dysfunction in disease and lead to the development of new treatments.

Researchers the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at BYU and the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah Medical school, led by the Willardson and Shen groups, have made significant strides in understanding the intricate process of protein folding, a pivotal concept in biochemistry. Their groundbreaking studies focus on the G protein subunits (Gb) and their folding within the cellular protein folding nanomachine, the chaperonin CCT. Utilizing cutting-edge cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), they unveiled key steps in Gb folding, revealing that CCT plays a crucial role in facilitating folding by gripping the exterior of Gb and allowing the interior to take shape on its own. This breakthrough research promises to identify Gb folding defects associated with mutations that cause debilitating neurological disorders, opening doors to potential therapeutic interventions.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry celebrated its 100th year anniversary in 2020. It was one of the first departments at BYU, and it continues to lead out at the university in research and teaching. Did you know that in 1950 the Eyring Science Center was one of the finest science buildings in the United States? With the first chemistry classes in the 1870s, the early developments of the modern chemistry department in the 1950s, and the first PhD program in the 1970s, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has had a rich educational history.