Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is the study of the molecular and genetic bases of  cellular processes. Our faculty conducts research to increase current knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of normal and abnormal cellular processes. 

Our research, PhD, and graduate programs can be applied to a broad group of important and currently relevant health problems such as cancer, aging, neurological diseases, fertility/infertility, and environmentally based diseases. 

Department research interests include:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Genetics
• Structural Biology
• Developmental and Reproductive Biology
• Enzymology
• Molecular Biophysics
• Molecular Endocrinology
• Chemical Biology
• Biochemical Nutrition

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers three programs: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Health Science (MHS), and Master of Science (ScM). The entire faculty of the department serve as mentors for the PhD program, whereas the Masters programs are offered only through the Division of Reproductive Biology. Graduates go on to careers in academia, biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, government, medicine, or research institutes.

The Department was one of the original departments formed when the School was founded in 1916. Its first professor and chair, E.V. McCollum, discovered vitamins A and D. Dr. McCollum also discovered the importance of trace metals in the diet, findings that led, in part, to fluoridation of drinking water. This tradition of applying basic research to solve important public health problems continues to serve as our guide in research and in training students to become creative research scientists.

The Division of Reproductive Biology was established in the School in 1972. With its emphasis on biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and genetics of reproductive processes, the Division became part of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1998. The research of Division faculty is both basic and applied, often extending from the molecule to the individual patient to the population. A major mission of the Division continues to be to foster interaction among the substantial number of reproductive biologists at The Johns Hopkins University through teaching, seminars, collaborative research, and educational programs.