Life Sciences
Research activities in the life sciences at Brookhaven National
Laboratory have a long and distinguished history of contributions to
basic studies on DNA and proteins, the cellular mechanisms that
modify them, the development of imaging techniques to investigate
human disease, and to biomedical applications based on knowledge
resulting from these studies.
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Brookhaven biologist Walter Mangel showing
the positions of some of the atoms and chemical bonds in the
three-dimensional crystal structure of the adenovirus protease. |
DNA Damage and Repair
Brookhaven biologists study the responses of cells to damaged DNA
and the biochemistry and genetics of the mechanisms that repair DNA
in bacteria, plants, and animals. New, highly sensitive techniques
have been developed to accurately measure DNA damage and its repair.
Sequencing Techniques
Brookhaven’s Genome Sequencing Group has developed techniques for sequencing
difficult regions of human chromosomes. Using such techniques, the
scientists have successfully closed gaps in the sequence of chromosome 19.
Addiction Research
Brookhaven scientists are investigating the mechanisms of addiction to
nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, alcohol, and solvents. By
looking at changes in brain chemistry and by learning how drugs cause these
changes, the scientists can propose preventive measures and help design new
anti-addiction drugs.
Space Biomedical Research
Brookhaven scientists are refining methods to detect and quantify the
biological effects of space radiation. This work will help assess the
radiation risks faced by astronauts on long term space missions, and could
help improve the cancer-killing potential of radiation therapy. The
NASA Space
Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven is one of the few places in
the world that can simulate the harsh cosmic and solar radiation space
environment needed for this research.
Last Modified: February 28, 2008
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