Welcome

The research in our laboratory focuses on the development and application of novel magic angle spinning NMR techniques to understand structure, dynamics and function of complex macromolecular assemblies, biological tissues and inorganic materials.  Of particular interest to us are systems where magic angle spinning NMR provides unique (and often the only) insight into structure and dynamics: i) physiologically important microtubule-associated protein assemblies whose malfunction is implicated in multiple diseases; ii) HIV-1 viral protein assemblies that comprise the mature infectious and immature noninfectious virions; iii) intervertebral disc tissues whose aging and damage cause the prevalent degenerative disc disease; iv) biotechnologically important vanadium haloperoxidases.  Understanding structure, dynamics and function of these complex systems is critical for design of novel therapeutic strategies and diagnostic methods.  To gain rigorous insight into these questions, we couple magnetic resonance-based methods with computational quantum-mechanical and biophysical approaches.  We combine fundamental investigations in structural biology and biophysics with applied biomedical research seeking to develop novel magnetic-resonance-based diagnostic methods. You can find additional details about these and other ongoing projects in the laboratory under the “Research” section.