Hassane Mchaourab

  • Structure of the human μ-opioid receptor (μOR) predicted in the absence or presence of human Gαz. A ribbon protein structure is on the left, and panels on the right show zoomed in views of three regions. Three more graphs on the right show some probability graphs.

    Research Snapshot: Exploring the range of AlphaFold2’s utility within the realm of protein dynamics

    Benjamin P. Brown, assistant professor of pharmacology, and colleagues in the departments of molecular physiology and biophysics, pharmacology, and chemistry, have determined that AlphaFold2 can be used to generate approximations of relative conformational preferences of proteins, which will help researchers better understand a protein’s structure and function across a range of conditions and mutational states. Read More

    May. 9, 2024

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt launches Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Protein Dynamics

    The School of Medicine Basic Sciences has launched the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Protein Dynamics, which is focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and macromolecular mechanism. It is helmed by Hassane Mchaourab, who holds the Louise B. McGavock Chair in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. Read More

    Mar. 7, 2024

  • Vanderbilt University

    Apex Lecture presented by renowned AlphaFold founder

    The Aug. 30 School of Medicine Basic Sciences Apex Lecture featured visionary biophysicist John Jumper (BS’07). His talk described AlphaFold, the revolutionary protein structure-predicting program, that he co-developed. Read More

    Sep. 13, 2023

  • Black and white headshot of John Jumper.

    John Jumper, developer of AlphaFold, to present an Apex Lecture on August 30

    John Jumper, Ph.D. To highlight major inflection points in research, the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences launched the Apex Lecture Series earlier this year, which allows the Basic Sciences community to engage with researchers from around the world who are influencing the trajectory of their fields. John… Read More

    Aug. 8, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt launches Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Protein Dynamics

    Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences has launched the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Protein Dynamics, which is focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning and macromolecular mechanism. It will be led by Hassane Mchaourab, who holds the Louise B. McGavock Chair… Read More

    Apr. 12, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    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 More

    May. 16, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    First-time isolation of Glucose-6-phosphatase leads to novel discoveries

    Researchers from the labs of Hassane Mchaourab and Richard O’Brien, both professors of molecular physiology and biophysics, have successfully isolated active glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and characterized its biophysical and biochemical properties. G6Pase dysfunction is a primary contributor to metabolic diseases, including diabetes, and labs have been trying for years to isolate… Read More

    Jan. 25, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Study explores how bacteria become drug resistant

    Researchers at Vanderbilt University and the University of Arizona have revealed more of the inner-workings of a two-stage “molecular motor” in the cell membrane that enables bacteria to become resistant to drugs. Their findings, which were reported recently in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, will aid the search for inhibitors… Read More

    Jan. 6, 2022