Cell and Structural Biology

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Cell & Structural Biology

Microscopic view of mitochondrial cellThe Cell and Structural Biology (CSB) Affinity Group conducts basic research on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cellular processes that are fundamental to human health and development. Scientific focus areas include organelle biogenesis and function, regulation of cell metabolism by small RNAs and small proteins, membrane transport and post-translational modifications, developmental programs, DNA replication, repair, and mutagenesis, and microbial pathogenesis and host response. Knowledge gained from these studies is applied to the elucidation of the cause of various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, aging-related diseases, metabolic and developmental disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases and multidrug resistance.

The CSB has outstanding facilities for microscopic imaging of cell structure and function; recombinant protein production in multiple prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems; and X-ray crystallographic and protein biochemical analyses. In addition, the group has expertise in the genetic manipulation of animals, cell lines, and bacteria; global analyses of proteomes, transcriptomes and interactomes; and genetic and phenotypic characterization of living organisms.

Labs within this group: