91ÖÆƬ³§

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Abstract biochemistry and molecular biology research collage graphic.

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Mauricio J. Reginato, PhD

Mauricio Reginato, PhD
Professor and Chair

Contact Us

Jenny Sherwood
Department Administrator
  js388@drexel.edu

Joshua Stevenson
Program Coordinator
  267.359.2642
  jds336@drexel.edu

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is dedicated to the education of medical and graduate students in biochemistry, molecular biology and nutrition. Researchers in our highly interactive department utilize cutting-edge techniques to discover the molecular basis of disease, including research focused on cancer, infectious disease and aging.

Learn more about the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

The department consists of 12 faculty, including 2 full-time educators and 10 independent laboratory heads, with externally funded programs. Our outstanding faculty and their exceptional teams of research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and undergraduate researchers are key to our success. The collaborative nature of the department and the wide array of scientific approaches, from structural biology and biophysical methods, to cell biology and animal studies, contribute to the exciting research environment.

Meet our faculty and staff.

Our research-intensive graduate programs offer high quality mentored research experiences. These train our students to be successful scientists and independent thinkers, prepared for a variety of careers. Students from our programs hold careers in a range of scientific areas including academic and industry research, teaching roles, government positions and science writing and policy.

Learn more about our graduate programs.

Research at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Our major disease focus has been on cancer. Cancer is a multifaceted disease and basic biochemical/molecular research on a broad range of cellular processes has been extremely powerful in understanding cancer biology—from transformation, to metastasis, to response, to treatment. Cancer biology is a "big tent" under which many disparate areas of inquiry can be united and focused.

Learn more about our research.

Meet Our Faculty

Patrick Loll, PhD
Meet Patrick Loll, PhD
Patrick Loll, PhD, is an experienced protein biochemist, structural biologist and protein biophysicist. His group has experience with a wide range of biochemical and biophysical techniques. Read more.

Ridhdhi Desai, PhD
Meet Ridhdhi Desai, PhD
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is excited to welcome Ridhdhi Desai, PhD as faculty at 91ÖÆƬ³§. Prior to joining Drexel, Dr. Desai was a research fellow at Joslin Diabetes Center and postdoctoral fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, where she focused on investigating the mechanisms underlying initiation and progression of precursor lesions in pancreatic cancer. Read more.

Eishi Noguchi, PhD
Meet Eishi Noguchi, PhD
Dr. Eishi Noguchi is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at 91ÖÆƬ³§. He is the director of the Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics graduate program. Read more.

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming events.

 
News & Announcements

Reginato Lab Publishes High-Impact Work on Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

The Reginato Lab recently published a new study on a novel metabolic and signaling pathway regulating breast cancer brain metastatic cell survival in the journal Cancer Research. The research, “” features first author Riley Young PhD candidate in the MCBG Graduate Program and collaborations with Dr. Alexej Dick and researchers in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Congratulations to Dr. Christian Sell on being awarded the 2025 Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award.

2025 Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award

 

Teaching Award

Todd Strochlic, VMD, PhD, received the 2025 Lindback Distinguished
Teaching Award. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding teaching by full-time members of the 91ÖÆƬ³§ faculty.

Faculty Award

Congratulations to Dr. Christian Sell on being awarded the 2025 Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award. This prestigious award is presented to a faculty member at the rank of professor who has demonstrated excellence in clinical or basic scientific research.

American Institute of Physics

Congratulations to Dr. Pat Loll who has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Physics. Since 1931, AIP has engaged in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences.

2025 Golden Apple Award Winners Impact Medical Students’ Success

The annual Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding service, teaching and mentoring by 91ÖÆƬ³§ faculty and professional staff. The honorees are nominated by each class of medical students, who vote to determine the award winners. Read more.

2025 Edith Mitchell Mentoring Award

Mauricio Reginato, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, received the 2025 Edith Mitchell Mentoring Award from the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium. The award is given out for exceptional mentoring of junior faculty and trainees across the consortium.

Todd Strochlic, VMD, PhD, Appointed Assistant Dean of Curricular Integration

Todd Strochlic, VMD, PhD, has been appointed as assistant dean of curricular integration, 91ÖÆƬ³§. He will oversee the complex management of the medical education curriculum with a focus on Year 2 and will play a key role in ensuring alignment and integration across the Philadelphia and West Reading campuses. Read more.

Drexel Team Identifies Drug-like Molecules That Show Early Success in Targeting Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Researchers from Drexel’s College of Medicine have identified new drugs that show early success in shrinking breast cancer tumors that have metastasized in the brain. The discovery marks the first time that targeting a key metabolic enzyme in cancer cells in the brain has shrunk tumors in a mouse model. Read more.

2024 Golden Apple Award Winners Announced

The annual Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding service, teaching and mentoring by 91ÖÆƬ³§ faculty and professional staff. The honorees are nominated by each class of medical students who vote to determine the award winners. Read more.

 
In the Media
 

March 5, 2025: Christian Sell, PhD, professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, was interviewed by about how fat influences health over time and its impact on aging and longevity.

July 22, 2024: Research from Mauricio Reginato, PhD, a professor and chair, and assistant professor Alexej Dick, PhD, both in the College of Medicine, and colleagues, have identified new molecules that show early success in shrinking breast cancer tumors that have metastasized in the brain, an article reported.

July 12, 2024: Researchers from Drexel’s College of Medicine have identified new drugs that show early success in shrinking breast cancer tumors that have metastasized in the brain. The discovery marks the first time that targeting a key metabolic enzyme in cancer cells in the brain has shrunk tumors in a mouse model. Read more.

February 26, 2020: Christian Sell, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, led research into the use of rapamycin to treat skin aging that was featured in 's article on “10 Breakthrough Technologies 2020.”

December 11, 2019: Christian Sell, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and colleagues recently published research showing a possible new use for Rapamycin — as a way to slow skin aging. The findings were covered by and .

See all College of Medicine faculty in the Media

 
Quick Links & Resources
 

 
Contact Us

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
245 N. 15th Street, 11102 New College Building, MS #497
Philadelphia, PA 19102

 
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