Biochemistry and Biophysics draw on quantitative approaches from chemistry and physics to tackle complex problems in biology. These approaches range from cutting edge imaging techniques such as cryo-EM and optical microscopy methods, to the analysis of protein and nucleic acid structure and function using x-ray crystallography, NMR, computational modeling, and many other techniques.
Students in the CMDB program work with our ~25 faculty members on topics across biology, including protein and nucleic acid structure and folding; analysis of macromolecular interactions; proteomics; cellular structure and imaging; and structure-based drug design.
Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty
Our faculty members have a wide range of research specialties. Learn about their work and how you can get connected with our biophysics and biochemistry faculty.
Our research
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Molecular basis of global promoter sensing and nucleosome capture by the SWR1 chromatin remodeler
The SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex is recruited to +1 nucleosomes downstream of transcription start sites of eukaryotic promoters, where it exchanges histone H2A for the specialized variant H2A.Z. Here, we use cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) to resolve the structural basis of the SWR1 interaction with free DNA, revealing a distinct open conformation of the Swr1 ATPase that…
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Structure of an endogenous mycobacterial MCE lipid transporter
Our data lead to a structural model for Mce1-mediated lipid import across the mycobacterial cell envelope.