My main research interests are functional and structural analyses by 3-D cryo-electron microscopy of cytoskeletal assemblies and macromolecular structures as well as cellular organelles. We apply cryo-electron tomography to investigate the structure function relationships of large macromolecular assemblies and cellular organelles within their native cytosolic environment. We operate two electron microscopes with the latest data recording systems, and peripheral equipment for specimen preparation and data analysis. I received funding to create a new Cryo-Electron Tomography facility (CU-Boulder Center for Cryo-ET: CCET, total funding about $8M). This will add a new FIBSEM microscope plus various peripheral equipment to the University and to MCD-Biology.
keywords
Cellbiology and Cytoskeleton assemblies, 3-D reconstruction of macromolecular assemblies and cellular organelles by cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography
MCDB 3135 - Molecular Biology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Examines the central dogma of biology by discussing the most important molecules in cells (DNA, RNA and protein) and how their synthesis (DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing and translation) is regulated. Incorporated into the discussion is how recombinant DNA techniques are used to discover and dissect cellular processes, how to design and interpret experiments, and understanding the limits of experiments to draw conclusions.
MCDB 3501 - Structural Methods for Biological Macromolecules
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Newest developments in cryo-electron microscopy opened new avenues to study cellular and molecular processes with high structural detail. The class will explore the most recent strategies in Structural Biology to study protein structure and function with a special focus on viral host-pathogen interactions and cell infection and its implications to cell function and architecture. The class will be composed of lectures, scientific paper discussions and hands-on problem solving and demonstrations on microscopes and software. Recommended prerequisite: MCDB 2150 or EBIO 2070 (minimum grade C-).
MCDB 4100 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 3135 and MCDB 3145 (minimum grade C-).
