Biology, biochemistry and physics—what do these disciplines have in common? Besides the intricate details of molecular and material behavior, these programs at Andrews University all support high-level research using modern analytical tools. From studying proteins and enzymes to exploring the electronic behavior of materials, recent laboratory acquisitions have strengthened our ability to teach, discover, and train students across these disciplines.
Investigating Protein Structure and Function
by Peter Lyons, professor, Department of Biology
Proteins are responsible for much of life. In cells, they serve as structural components, motors, catalysts and more. I’m privileged to lead the Proteolysis Lab at Andrews University, which explores the structure of digestive proteins and their many roles throughout living systems. Recent months have seen significant improvements in our ability to pursue this cutting-edge biochemical research through advanced research equipment funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, now the Department of War (DoW). This investment has impacted the student experience in a variety of ways—consider the story of Andy Zhao.
Andy was approaching his senior year and still hadn’t committed to a J.N. Andrews Honors Program thesis project. He was a biochemistry major, enrolled in Cell and Molecular Biology, and comfortable working with computers. He asked if it would be possible to put a research project together.
The timing was perfect. The DoW’s equipment grant was supporting efforts in our biology and biochemistry programs to understand protein structure and function. Several years earlier, Google DeepMind artificial intelligence (AI) had solved a century-old problem: how to predict the three-dimensional structure of a protein with limited information. The Proteolysis Lab had recently initiated a study on a group of fungal enzymes, a rich source of proteolytic enzyme diversity, and given his computational skills, Andy could begin his part of the project with AI.
We worked together to categorize enzymes by their predicted functions, using AI to anticipate three-dimensional structures and show a likely difference between enzymes and pseudoenzymes. When the equipment came in, we were able to purify several proteins and characterize one unique enzyme in some detail, culminating in a publication in The FEBS Journal, a highly respected biochemical journal.
This DoW grant supported several pieces of equipment that have facilitated research and education in our programs. Central to the grant was a Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography system, which enabled purification of enzymes for the study described above. In addition, the funds enabled the purchase of two centrifuges; a large scientific refrigeration unit; a scanner for analysis of proteins and DNA; and a microplate reader capable of absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence. This has added to our capabilities in biomedical and biochemical research and teaching, equivalent to those found in many major research laboratories. The difference between us and other major labs is that undergraduate students are central players in our labs, doing work that leads to publication.
Currently, we are gearing up for some experiments in our Cell and Molecular Biology course that will use these resources. Our students are excited to use cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology to discover new enzymes with currently unknown functions. In some ways, this experience is analogous to the students themselves—who come to us with undeveloped skills and unknown interests—waiting for discovery and some fine-tuning so they can be used by God in a life of service in their chosen field.
Solid-State and Materials Research
by Henry Navarro, associate professor, Department of Physics
What happens to materials when they are cooled to very low temperatures, illuminated by light or placed under other carefully controlled conditions?
These questions guide work in solid-state physics at Andrews University, where I am excited to lead the Nanoscience & Materials Laboratory. In the lab, we are utilizing new equipment to expand student learning and research opportunities.
A major addition to the laboratory has been a cryogenic probe station. This system allows electrical and optical measurements while samples are cooled to temperatures close to minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit or 78 kelvins. When exposed to these conditions, materials exhibit unexpected characteristics. Electrical resistance may change suddenly, new electronic states can appear and light can strongly influence how charge moves.
This capability has changed how undergraduate students engage with research. Rather than studying concepts only in class, students now participate in experiments similar to those carried out at national laboratories and research universities. They have obtained knowledge of preparing/mounting samples, cooling them to cryogenic temperatures and analyzing actual measurement data.
Experiences like these allow students to develop employable skills in applied physics, engineering and material science. They also give students a practical perspective of how the semiconductor industry tests and evaluates the materials that are used in modern electronic devices.
An example of this is Shane Whidden, an undergraduate student who was the first person to work in the lab when the new equipment was being installed. He quickly became involved in analyzing data from a standard probe station and is now contributing to a collaborative research paper. His experience reflects how early access to advanced tools allows students to move quickly from learning basic techniques to participating in meaningful research. Similarly, Jeffrey Tertel, a high school student from the Berrien RESA Math & Science Center, recently joined the laboratory group and is participating in research alongside undergraduate students.
This research activity has also increased the visibility of Andrews University beyond our campus. In 2025, work performed under Andrews University affiliation led to publications in journals including Nature Communications, Physical Review, and Journal of Physics D. These studies showed how carefully designed material interfaces can produce new and controllable electronic effects. Although many of the materials studied have been obtained through collaborations, we are actively pursuing external grants in order to create and study our own materials on campus.
Ultimately, this investment is about more than new equipment. These resources are intended to provide students with valuable research experiences and knowledge of contemporary practice, as well as prepare them for continued studies, future career opportunities and service to their communities.
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