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Breadcrumb

  1. Research
  2. Scientific Discovery
  3. Biology
  4. Integrative Omics
  5. Structural Biology

Structural
Biology

From atomic resolution
to 3D shape

Molecular landscape of a chloroplast.

(Illustration by David S. Goodsell)

  • Chemical Biology
  • Computational Biology
  • Ecosystem Science
  • Human Health
  • Integrative Omics
    • Advanced Metabolomics
    • Chemical Biology
    • Mass Spectrometry-Based Measurement Technologies
    • Spatial and Single-Cell Proteomics
    • Structural Biology
  • Microbiome Science
  • Projects

Related Researchers

Ernesto Nakayasu

Ernesto Nakayasu

Biomedical Scientist
Geremy Clair

Geremy Clair

Biomedical Scientist
Garry Buchko

Garry Buchko

Chemist

In biology, structure guides function. From the atoms of natural products to the three-dimensional (3D) structure of large biomolecules, such as proteins, shape at every scale is important.

At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (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.

We specialize in finding the nanoscale details that make a difference. Characterizing the structure of lignin after pretreating biomass could help biorefineries reduce waste and utilize all components of plant cell walls for renewable fuel or chemicals. Insight into how proteins give tooth enamel its strength could be used to make materials for high-performance computing or energy storage. Our researchers work in regional teams to study the structures of more than 1000 proteins in different pathogens, including the novel coronavirus.

12TLab
Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Expertise and instruments at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy Office of Science user facility located at PNNL, are critical to this work.

Atom probe tomography gives us insights into the elemental compositions of biomolecules. We use infrared nano-imaging to get chemical and nanoscale structural information of proteins in their native liquid environments.

We can determine the structure of small proteins using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, we can determine the atomic-scale structure of larger proteins and protein complexes using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. We collaborate with researchers at Oregon Health & Science University to operate the Pacific Northwest Cryo-EM Center, one of three national centers for cryo-electron microscopy.

With various mass spectrometry techniques, we can study how amino acids combine to form a fully functional folded protein.

Click to view our team of experts who focus on structural biology in the Biology Division and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Division.

Liquid NMR for Metabolomics and natural products
Photo by Eric Francavilla | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Contacts

Scott Baker
Research Line Manager
scott.baker@pnnl.gov
(509) 372-4759
John Cort
Scientist
john.cort@pnnl.gov
(509) 371-6334

Related Links

Environmental Molecular Sciences LaboratoryPacific Northwest Cryo-EM CenterNatural Product Magnetic Resonance Database

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