A hallmark of the department is its thoroughness in teaching the principles and practice of the main methods of structural biology: protein production, purification and crystallization; x-ray diffraction crystallography; and computational structural modeling. The faculty of the department include members cross-appointed from the Hauptman-Woodward Institute.

Founded in 1956 it has housed researchers dedicated to studying the foundations of disease, looking at the interaction of biology with new and improved pharmaceuticals. We have a rich history of innovation, discovery, and education, and are a founder institute of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Today we are housed in a state of the art, 73,000 square foot facility identified from it?s iconic shape reflected in our logo.