MS&D: Structural Biology and Microimaging
Dr. Robert Wind is shown here with one of two microscopes housed in the HFMRF that study live cells through simultaneous use of magnetic resonance (MR) and laser-scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy.The Structural Biology and Microimaging group provides expertise in structural biology, solid-state materials/catalyst characterization, magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and high-resolution NMR spectroscopy of complex biological molecules. The group's research capabilities, which focus on DNA, RNA, protein structure/function relationships, protein-protein interactions, bioremediation, and microimaging, have assisted a multitude of projects, from genomics to cell imaging and bioremediation.
The Lab's state-of-the-science High-Field Magnetic Resonance Facility (HFMRF), housed at the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), aids in the analysis, imaging, and structure determination of RNA and DNA oligomers and other biological molecules. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic paramagnetic resonance determine the structures of molecules that could have an impact on biological health effects and remediation of damage to the environment.
Advances in Imaging Technology along with Computational Modeling and Bioinformatics have enhanced molecular-level understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes underlying environmental remediation, waste processing, and human health by allowing researchers to visualize the structures, processes, and interactions of these molecules in detail.
Contact: Paul Ellis, Technical Leader