News

Renowned Michigan State University cancer researcher Olorunseun “Seun” Ogunwobi has been selected to serve as a Jefferson Science Fellow by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.He’s also been elected as a fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria. In these roles, he will provide academic and professional leadership that influences and informs policy and enhances human health and welfare.  

Get to know Assistant Professor Melanie Balbach who joined MSU in August 2023. The Balbach Lab will explore key biochemical questions related to reproductive physiology and sperm metabolism--research with breakthrough applications for our  understanding infertility and potential male contraceptives.

Michigan State University professors Ben Orlando and Bjoern Hamberger were honored as James K. Billman Jr., M.D. Endowed Professors at an investiture ceremony held Oct. 28. The Billman Professorships were established by MSU alumnus Dr. James Billman to support exceptional researchers in the College of Natural Science’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Professor Hamberger is a leading expert on plant-derived bioactive diterpenoids, while Professor Orlando utilizes cryoEM to examine the structure, dynamics, and function of membrane protein complexes.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club traveled to East Lansing’s Donley elementary school to participate in their science night. Undergradates led hands-on experiments exploring pH levels in household liquids and plant coloration.

Michigan State University plant biochemist Tom Sharkey and his team discovered that, on a warming planet, plants such as oaks and poplars will emit more of a compound that exacerbates poor air quality, contributing to problematic particulate matter and low-atmosphere ozone. The rub is that the same compound, called isoprene, can also improve the quality of clean air while making plants more resistant to stressors including insects and high temperatures. The findings were recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Join a community of over 200 plant science faculty, embracing collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to foundational and applied research. Become a part of a renowned legacy, spanning decades of pioneering contributions to plant science research. 

Research conducted by Sue Rhee and Hatem Rouached was given a news spotlight by CBS Detroit meteorologist Karen Carter. Their work seeks to increase plant resilience to phosphorus deficiency—a crucial breakthrough as world phosphorus levels continue to decrease in the face of widespread agricultural uses. 

BMB and MPS graduate student MacKenzie Jacobs writes about her experience in Switzerland in summer 2023, attending Polyploid Summer School at the University of Fribourg.