Microbial and Cellular Biology
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is home to a variety of advanced capabilities in microbial and cellular biology. We have world-class proteomic instruments, a laboratory dedicated to understanding microbes at the molecular level, a variety of specialized microscopy equipment, a 900-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and highly developed computational biology tools. The combination of this unique collection of resources and our multidisciplinary, integrated research teams lends strength to our systems biology research.
Microbial biology requires a multi-disciplinary approach that includes microbial physiologists and ecologists, molecular biologists, and soil scientists. Our research areas cover biogeochemistry, microbial systems biology, soil and sediment microbiology, and development of rapid and sensitive methods of detecting and characterizing biothreat organisms and microbial communities.
Cell Biology research teams also use an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the molecular systems by which cells perceive, respond, and adapt to changes in their environments. Researchers in this area are studying how information flow is organized and integrated in cells to promote a range of responses underlying adaptive and pathological behavior. By focusing on understanding interactions between key signaling proteins and networks, important insights can be gained into complex biological processes such as aging, causes of disease, and development of safe and effective pharmaceuticals.