Education
Students in Structural Biology study a wide range of problems from a structural and mechanistic perspective. The program strongly emphasizes research training. Students design their course program, typically a combination of specialized courses and core advanced courses in structural biology, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology to meet their educational goals. Research in the department includes:
- the mechanism of transcription and translation
- chromatin structure
- mechanism of antibiotic resistance
- protein-RNA interactions
- catalytic RNA, molecular chaperones
- cell membrane recognition
- cellular adhesion
- evolution and mechanism of the immune response
- theoretical studies of protein structure and dynamics
A broad spectrum of biophysical techniques, including x-ray crystallography, NMR, electron microscopy, and computational methods, is represented in the department.
Students participate in an annual retreat which features research presentations by all the groups in the department. In addition, the various biosciences programs host frequent seminars at which students are welcome and encouraged to attend.