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Structural Biology
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Investigators at UVA use many approaches to solve structures of macromolecules including atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, NMR, small angle x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography. |
Structural Biology encompasses those investigators who determine the 3D structures of proteins and nucleic acids by a variety of methods including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
A detailed understanding of biological function requires detailed structures of the macromolecules that comprise the machinery of life. These structures provide unique insights into the molecular basis of function and provide a rational framework for the design of experiments to address the biological function of a macromolecule.
Our structural biology laboratories have specific strengths in integral membrane proteins, structural genomics, cell signaling factors, as well as macromolecular assemblies such virus particles and filaments.
In addition, structures of medically relevant targets play a critical role in accelerating the process of drug design through the use of structure-based lead discovery. The different structural methodologies provide unique and complementary information about the structure of macromolecules.
