Synthetic Biology
Biological systems are complex, but when broken down into smaller parts, we can better understand how and why those parts operate the way they do and decide if we can use them in a different way. Doing synthetic biology with microorganisms beyond standard bacteria or yeast is where PNNL researchers are making their mark.
Advanced Metabolomics
At PNNL, we use advanced metabolomics techniques to measure, identify, and analyze small molecules in biological systems with high sensitivity and on a large scale. This includes mass spectrometric analysis and prediction of molecular properties to identify unknown chemical structures.
Spatial and Single-Cell Proteomics
To enable proteomic studies on single cells, PNNL researchers developed the Nanodroplet Processing in One Pot for Trace Samples, or nanoPOTS, platform. This platform for nanoscale proteomics enhances the efficiency and recovery of sample processing and minimizes surface losses by downscaling processing volumes to less than 200 nL. When combined with ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the nanoPOTS platform provides in-depth proteomics analyses of biological samples as small as single cells.
Structural Biology
At PNNL, scientists study molecular structures at large scales such as proteins. We work to understand how proteins detoxify environmental contaminants, how fungi degrade biomass into various components of biofuels, and how plants adapt to changing environments.
Discovery and Insight
Researchers at PNNL drive innovation in cybersecurity research and application by identifying and leveraging novel human and computational analytical methods and tools to address hard cybersecurity challenges.
Trusted Systems
PNNL brings cybersecurity research and expertise to important national missions. Our cybersecurity experts continuously investigate, experiment, design, create, and review solutions focused on securing the engineering lifecycle of infrastructure technology.