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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Group

NMR & Ligand-Macromolecule Interactions

Not Pictured
Robert London, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator



Tel (919) 541-4879
Fax (919) 541-5707
london@niehs.nih.gov
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop MR-01
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Delivery Instructions

Research Summary

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Group performs fundamental research on biological systems aimed at providing insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie problems of environmental concern.

NMR & Ligand-Macromolecule Interactions
A computer-generated model depicting the structure of a protein.

Since the creation of the Laboratory of Structural Biology in 1996, the major focus of the group has been on enzymes that process normal and damaged DNA, as well as studies of ligand-macromolecule interactions. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that determine the replication and repair fidelity of cellular DNA is important for understanding how damage produced by physical or chemical agents is dealt with in humans and other living systems.

The group also is involved in collaborative NMR studies of physiological systems (e.g. perfused heart studies) related to understanding the roles of intracellular ions and other metabolic parameters in the mediation of cell injury. As part of this effort, potential NMR-active intracellular indicators for these parameters are evaluated. The group also provides NMR support for the NIEHS Intramural program.

Major areas of research:

  • Molecular mechanisms of cellular DNA replication and repair fidelity
  • Isotopic labeling strategies for biomolecular NMR studies
  • NMR support for NIEHS Intramural researchers

Current projects:

  • Structural and dynamic characterization of enzymes involved in DNA polymerization
  • Studies of nucleases, particularly focused on the proofreading exonuclease of E. coli and on the ribonuclease H domain of HIV reverse transcriptase
  • Analysis of ligand-macromolecule complex formation and related ternary complex formation (studies of borate complexes; studies of Type II dihydrofolate reductase)

Robert London, Ph.D., heads the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Group within the Laboratory of Structural Biology. He received his Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of Illinois in 1973. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in leading biomedical journals, and contributed 20 book chapters. He served as principal investigator of the NIH-funded National Stable Isotope Resource at Los Alamos before joining NIEHS in 1983.

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Last Reviewed: September 18, 2007