Molecular and Membrane Biophysics
Protein-protein interactions, whether they occur on the cell surface, inside the cell, or within the cell membrane, are a major focus of today’s biochemical studies. By defining the structural and biophysical properties of these interactions we can better understand the mechanisms by which cells communicate with each other and/or detect changes in their extra-cellular environment. Investigators in the Department of Biochemisty and Molecular Biology are investigating such areas as receptor/ligand interactions, transmission of these signals through cell membranes, and ion conductance through membrane channels.
Adams, Erin - Associate ProfessorStructure and biochemistry of proteins involved in immunological recognition. Characterization of gamma delta T cell receptors and their ligands and activating and inhibitory receptors involved in the innate immune response.
Bezanilla, Francisco - ProfessorBiophysics and dynamics of ion channels
Crosson, Sean - Associate ProfessorDeciphering the Structure, Function, and Topology of Microbial Signaling Systems
Getz, Godfrey - ProfessorStructure and function of apolipoproteins in lipoprotein assembly, and in atherosclerosis and Alzheimers disease pathogenesis.
Keenan, Robert - Associate ProfessorStructural biology and directed evolution.
Kent, Stephen - ProfessorChemical protein synthesis. Application of chemistry to the study of proteins. Mechanism of enzyme catalysis.
Koide, Shohei - ProfessorProtein design. Protein-protein interaction. Signaling network. Epigenetics. Structural biology. Synthetic biology.
Kossiakoff, Anthony - ProfessorStructure and function of hormone-receptor interactions, enzyme-inhibitor interfaces, and synthetic proteins.
Kovar, David - Assistant ProfessorBiochemical mechanisms of actin filament organization.
Makinen, Marvin - ProfessorElectron magnetic resonance; enzyme mechanisms; metalloenzymes; molecular dynamics; structural basis of enzyme action.
Meredith, Stephen - ProfessorProtein aggregation and amyloid fibril structure; peptide synthesis; lipoprotein structure.
Moffat, Keith - ProfessorTime-resolved macromolecular crystallography; photoreceptors; design and engineering of light-sensitive proteins
Pan, Tao - ProfessorRNA functional genomics, RNA epigenetics, RNA folding
Perozo, Eduardo - ProfessorStructure and Dynamics of Ion Channels and transporters
Piccirilli, Joseph - Associate ProfessorChemistry/biochemistry of nucleic acids; structure and mechanism of ribozymes (catalytic RNA); bioorganic chemistry.
Rice, Phoebe - ProfessorWe study mechanisms of DNA recombination and protein-DNA recognition, combining the tools of biochemistry and x-ray crystallography.
Rock, Ronald - Associate ProfessorMolecular motors; cytoskeletal organization; single-molecule biophysics
Roux, Benoit - ProfessorTheoretical and computational studies of the structure, dynamics and function of biological macromolecular systems.
Ruthenburg, Alexander - Assistant ProfessorChromatin Biochemistry, Biophysics and Chemical Biology
Sosnick, Tobin - ProfessorProtein and RNA/ribozyme folding; design of light-sensitive allosteric proteins; structure prediction, biological dynamics and thermodynamics as basis for understanding function.
Taylor, Edwin - ProfessorMolecular mechanism of muscle contraction, nonmuscle actomyosin, cell motility, microfilaments, and microtubules