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Molecular mechanisms of how proteins translocate across cell membranes
Dept. of Chemistry ¦ Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology ¦ Calif. Inst. for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3)
The lab is interested in the biophysical chemistry of membrane proteins. In particular, we are studying the molecular mechanism of how proteins are delivered across lipid bilayers through dedicated integral membrane protein complexes, called translocase channels. These channels act both as protein unfolding machines and polypeptide transporters. This process is of general interest to biology, because cells are compartmentalized and separated from their external environments by lipid membranes; and many proteins (about half of those produced in the cell) must be successfully translocated across or inserted into lipid bilayers to realize their biological function. Our lab specifically focuses on translocase channels central to the pathogenesis and physiology of bacteria, e.g., toxins, virulence factors, and other transporters. To understand these phenomena, the lab approaches the problem with a quantitative thermodynamic and kinetic perspective, utilizing fluorescence and other spectroscopies, electrophysiology, X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and modeling studies. […]
