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Chemistry and Biochemistry

A collection of dark green lines and small dots on a pale green background
Photo Credit
Courtesy UCSB Engineering
A close-up view of anaerobic gut fungi under the microscope. Armed with powerful plant-degrading enzymes and a dense network of hyphae, these specialized microbes break down tough lignocellulosic plant matter in the absence of oxygen.

Two UCSB-led projects selected for DOE’s Genesis Mission

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scientists use robotics
Photo Credit
Juan Manuel Urueña Vargas

NSF renews $19.8M for UCSB and UCLA to lead U.S. innovation in AI-driven biomaterials
Five sliced bagels are linked in a chain on a yellow background.
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Linking single sugars into short-chain carbohydrates, called oligosaccharides, has proven surprisingly difficult.

New method to synthesize carbohydrates could pave the way to biomedical advances
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Biochemist Yang Yang becomes UCSB’s first Freeman Hrabowski Scholar
Rare earth element names with suffix “ium.”
Photo Credit
Matt Perko

A simple filter for rare earth elements will ensure a clean domestic supply of these crucial metals
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Andrea S. Carlini recognized for her work on bio-compatible soft materials
concept illustration of amino acid chains that form proteins
De novo protein design involves sequencing amino acids to produce proteins with the desired structures and functions

Enzymes from scratch
One person ascending outdoor stairs of a modern building with a sunburst overhead
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
The Interactive Learning Pavilion, opened in 2023, is UCSB’s first all electric facility.

Reaching net zero for emissions will bring major cost savings to campus
A man with glasses sits on a train, gazing out the window with a contemplative expression. A woman leans her head on his shoulder, partially obscured, wearing glasses and a blue sweater. The train interior is softly lit, and other passengers can be seen in the blurred background.
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Courtesy
Film still from the documentary “Walk With Me” about Los Angeles designer Charlie Hess and his journey into early-onset Alzheimer’s.

UCSB research featured in Alzheimer’s documentary at SBIFF
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Yang Yang’s wizardry with enzymes earns him early career recognition
A group of undergraduate volunteers pose in front of the chemistry building at UC Santa Barbara.
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Courtesy Image
SciTrek founder Norbert Reich (center back) poses with some of the over 280 undergraduate volunteers who make the program possible.

SciTrek, UCSB’s largest education outreach program, garners new funding to expand
A stack of blocks with the rare earth element symbols on them.
Photo Credit
Thibault Renard via iStock
Scientists and engineers would love if separating rare earth elements were as easy as picking one out of a stack of blocks.

A cleaner, more efficient way to process and recycle rare earth elements
concept illustration of water and other molecules

‘Going green always wins’: Bruce Lipshutz makes the case for green chemistry in drug manufacturing for low-income countries
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