Prof. Dr. Moe Moe Khaing
M.B.,B.S, M.Med.Sc (Biochemistry)
Ph.D (Biochemistry), Dip.Med.Ed, DCME
Professor & Head
Former Department Head
| No. | Name | Degree | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Prof. Dr. Hla Hla Yee | M.B., B.S, M.Med.Sc (Biochemistry) | 2015-2019 |
The history of biochemistry can be said to have started with the ancient Greeks who were interested in the composition and processes of life, although biochemistry as a specific scientific discipline has its beginning around the early 19th century. Some argued that the beginning of biochemistry may have been the discovery of the first enzyme, diastase (today called amylase), in 1833 by Anselme Payen, while others considered Eduard Buchner‘s first demonstration of a complex biochemical process alcoholic fermentation in cell-free extracts to be the birth of biochemistry. Some might also point to the influential work of Justus von Liebig from 1842, Animal chemistry, or, Organic chemistry in its applications to physiology and pathology, which presented a chemical theory of metabolism, or even earlier to the 18th century studies on fermentation and respiration by Antoine Lavoisier.
The term “biochemistry” itself is derived from the combining form bio-, meaning “life”, and chemistry. The word is first recorded in English in 1848, while in 1877, Felix Hoppe-Seyler used the term (Biochemie in German) in the foreword to the first issue of Zeitschrift für Physiologische Chemie (Journal of Physiological Chemistry) as a synonym for physiological chemistry and argued for the setting up of institutes dedicate to its studies. Nevertheless, several sources cite German chemist Carl Neuberg as having coined the term for the new discipline in 1903, and some credit it to Franz Hofmeister.
Previously, the teaching of Biochemistry was merged with that of Physiology in Universities of Medicine in Myanmar. Department of Biochemistry in the University of Medicine, Taunggyi was inaugurated on 11th February, 2016 by Professor Dr. Hla Hla Yee (Professor and Head) and Associate Professor Dr. Aye Khine Khine Win. First there was only one demonstrator and four more demonstrators were appointed later for Department of Biochemistry in the University of Medicine, Taunggyi. Today, Department of Biochemistry functions with one professor, two associate professors, four assistant lecturers and four demonstrators teaching second Year students. Master of Medical Science (Biochemistry) is not started. We have our own library with collections of books for teaching Biochemistry and laboratory techniques. The department regularly participates in Physiology and Biochemistry Society, national conferences, symposia and seminars especially Myanmar Medical Association (Taunggyi).