Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is threefold: research, teaching, and service. Teachings includes formal classroom courses, which include both lecture and discussion formats, practical training in the laboratory, and development of communication skills for both oral and written presentation of scientific findings. Formal classroom teaching occurs in both the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies. In the School of Medicine, Departmental faculty have major teaching roles in Course 1 (Physiological Chemistry, Medical Genetics, and Developmental Biology) and Course 2 (Cellular Structure & Function-Physiological & Pharmacologic Processes), which are the first courses of the medical curriculum and form a critical underpinning for subsequent courses. In the School of Graduate Studies, Departmental faculty play a major role in IDSP 111 (Proteins, Enzymes, & Generation of Metabolic Energy), IDSP 112 (Metabolism & Genetics) and IDSP 113 (Molecular Biology), the first of five interdisciplinary core courses required for graduate students in all five basic science departments: Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and Microbiology and Immunology. Other important components of the teaching program are the seminar series, in which scientists from both inside and outside LSUHSC-S present research seminars of interest to the entire biomedical community, and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology journal club.

Research constitutes a second mission of the Department. Our strong emphasis on discovery of new knowledge in biomedical science is borne out by the high degree of extramural funding attained by the faculty. Research productivity is measured by publication of original articles in refereed journals and invited review articles in journals and books. Graduate student involvement in research publication is a major priority. Invitations to speak at national and international meetings and at other universities serve as an indication of national recognition of our faculty's research expertise. The Department purchases and maintains a large number of research instruments and facilities for common use by Departmental investigators.

Service is also a Departmental mission. Faculty members serve scientific societies and grant funding agencies at the national level by holding offices, participating on grant review panels, and reviewing manuscripts submitted to journals. Faculty members also serve on the committees and hold the offices that are essential for the mission of the Medical Center. Service at the Departmental level includes recruitment of faculty and graduate students, assessment of space utilization, and maintenance of a variety of research facilities for the benefit of both Departmental members and those of other departments. Finally, Departmental members render professional services to the state, parish and local communities by consultation and participation in teaching activities.