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News and highlight stories to keep informed on activities and accomplishments of Faculty Fellows and Innovation Fellows, past and present.

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wenjun zhang

In Research Led by Bakar Fellow Wenjun Zhang, First Natural Enzyme Creates Azides From Scratch

In a study published by Nature Chemistry, a team of UC Berkeley researchers at the College of Chemistry led by Wenjun Zhang, Ph.D., in collaboration with the Kulik group at MIT(link is external), reported the discovery of the first natural enzyme capable of creating these complex molecules–azides–from simpler ones. They identified an enzyme called Tri17 that uses ATP and nitrite to create different types of azides through a series of chemical reactions. By studying the structure and function of Tri17, scientists learned how it helps form azides.
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ziyang zhang

Ziyang Zhang receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

Among the 40 awardees was Ziyang Zhang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. His project focuses on targeting specific proteins called MHC that play a key role in how our immune system works. His lab's research is exploring ways to target these proteins directly to develop new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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