Why structural biology

By determining their atomic structures, we can gain significant insights into how they function, and why mutations or deletions give rise to particular diseases. Analysis of the atomic-level structure of proteins also allows the rational design of small molecules that manipulates their function and therefore have powerful therapeutic potential.

The two main techniques that are used to determine atomic level details of macromolecular structure are X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance NMR spectroscopy. Recently, cryo electron microscopy cryoEM has exploded with the advent of direct detectors that permit near atomic resolution on macromolecular complexes. We at UMass are well poised to harness all of these technical advances and apply them to important biological questions. The Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology BMP department embraces experimental and computational approaches to determine the structure and dynamics of macromolecules that are involved in many biologically important systems.

Structural biological research at UMass Medical School is diverse including basic issues of biological function often with an emphasis on clinically important problems. Among the areas actively being investigated are the processing of genetic material by molecular machines Kelch ; molecular recognition and specificity of RNA-binding proteins involved in mRNA stability in cancer-related proteins Massi ; molecular architecture involved in membrane targeting Munson ; understanding the molecular basis of luciferase function Miller.

Some of our research includes using the three dimensional structures of key proteins to design inhibitory compounds that could become therapeutically useful. Such research includes: structural basis for drug resistance and specificity for critical viral and innate immune proteins Schiffer , Kurt Yilmaz ; design of inhibitors targeting a central player in cancer Royer ; developing therapeutics targeting arginine modifying enzyme, including the Protein Arginine Deiminases, which have been shown to play roles in a variety of inflammatory diseases and cancer Thompson.

Additionally, Dr. Correspondence 29 October Machine learning algorithms are fast surpassing human abilities in multiple tasks, from image recognition to medical diagnostics. Now, machine learning algorithms have been shown to be capable of accurately predicting the folded structures of proteins. News 26 October Cutting-edge microscopy techniques are allowing researchers to spy on the innards of cells in all their crowded glory.

Research Highlights 21 October Advanced search. Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature. Researchers in Life Sciences. Home What is Structural Biology. What is Structural Biology?

The three main tools used for protein structure determination. Gain access to resources and start collaborating today!