Macromolecular Structure and Interactions
A detailed knowledge of the synthesis, structure, function and interactions of macromolecules is a necessity for the full understanding of cellular processes. Numerous researchers at the University of Virginia are involved in state-of-the-art research in these areas. Studies include: the mechanisms of polypeptide chain folding; the three-dimensional configuration of proteins; interactions of proteins with other proteins, nucleic acids and phospholipids; relationship between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix; and structure-function relations and domain structure of enzymes. Each of these studies includes current technology and instrumentation, including x-ray crystallography, multi-dimensional NMR spectrometry, differential scanning microcalorimetry, fluorescence depolarization, scanning and transmission microscopy and atomic-force microscopy, tandem mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, affinity labelin; laser-induced protein/nucleic acid cross-linking, immunofluorescence, hybridoma and recombinant DNA technology, and computer simulation.
Faculty in this area:
Bushweller, John H.
Drug Development Targeting Transcription Drivers in Cancer; Structure/Function Studies of Transcription Factor Drivers in Cancer
Minor, Wladek
Structure-Function Relationships in Macromolecules; Infectious Diseases and Drug Discovery; Bioinformatics and Big Data; Scientific Reproducibility
Stukenberg, P. Todd
Mechanisms of chromosome segregation in Mitosis and generation of Chromosomal Instability in tumors
Tamm, Lukas K.
Biomembrane Structure and Function; Cell Entry of Enveloped Viruses; Neurosecretion by Exocytosis; Structure of Bacterial Pathogen Membrane Proteins; Lipid-Protein Interactions
Zimmer, Jochen
Transport of biopolymers across biological membranes with a particular interest in polysaccharide and protein translocation.