Cryo- EM
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New structure gives insight into mRNA export and cancers, and how viruses hijack the process to infect their host
A newly determined structure from the lab of Yi Ren reveals information about the mRNA export pathway and suggests that herpes viruses could hijack that interaction to infect their host. The new structures also reveal how certain mutations in the protein complex could play a role in cancers. Read MoreNov. 14, 2024
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Research Snapshot: Protons can tune synaptic signaling by changing the shape of a protein receptor
Research from Teru Nakagawa, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, describes intricacies of normal brain function with implications for our understanding of brain injury and recovery: A decrease in pH can modify a neurotransmitter receptor’s structure, thereby modulating its location and kinetics. Read MoreAug. 13, 2024
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‘Smarter Every Day’ explores how bacteria move to survive—and make us sick
In a recent episode of Smarter Every Day, YouTube sensation and host Destin Sandlin talks with Vanderbilt Professor Tina Iverson and Senior Research Associate Prashant Singh about bacterial “motors” and how they work in the microorganisms that make us sick. The video racked up more than 1.4 million views in its first day. Read MoreJul. 31, 2024
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STOP the GAP: New cryo-ET package aims to fill in the ‘missing wedge’
Cryo-ET suffers from the “missing wedge” problem: as samples become more tilted, their thickness at the extremes is increased and sample penetration decreases. William Wan and collaborators describe the creation of a new subtomogram averaging package called STOPGAP. Read MoreJun. 3, 2024
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Vanderbilt researchers showcase cutting-edge structural biology at annual CSB Symposium
The 2024 Center for Structural Biology Symposium, which took place on March 28, celebrated its decades of success, research undertakings, and goal of strengthening the structural biology community at Vanderbilt. Read MoreApr. 15, 2024
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Q&A: Illuminating a critical step in initiating DNA replication in eukaryotes
Brandt Eichman and Walter Chazin, professors of biochemistry, worked together to provide a better understanding of how exactly DNA replication is initiated. Their work will influence novel small molecule modifier designs that may serve as tools for detailed studies of DNA replication in cells and eventual therapies. Read MoreMar. 15, 2024
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Exploring the basics of neurological disorders: Calcium transport in receptors
Led by Terunaga Nakagawa, an international collaboration describes for the first time the fundamental mechanism underpinning cellular processes that lead to learning and memory. Read MoreFeb. 26, 2024
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Collaborative research yields new protein structure
Structure of a caveolin-1 complex obtained using cryo-electron microscopy. A protomer, or a structural unit, is highlighted in magenta. The image was cropped to focus on panel A of Figure 1 of the paper, modified and published here in accordance to a CC BY-NC 4.0 license. Read MoreMay. 16, 2022
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Cryo-EM reveals the molecular mechanism of IP3 receptor channel opening
Research led by co-first authors Emily Schmitz, a graduate student in the Chemical and Physical Biology program, and Hirohide Takahashi, a research instructor in molecular physiology and biophysics, identified the structure of the human type-3 inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, or IP3, receptor in several conformations using cryo-electron microscopy. Schmitz and Takahasi, who… Read MoreMay. 9, 2022
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Core Development Grants recipients announced
The Office of the Dean of Basic Sciences is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences Core Development Grants, which provide each awardee with up to $50K toward the purchase of capital equipment, the development of a new core technology or service, or… Read MoreFeb. 8, 2022