structural biology

September 3, 2020

Assembling cell power plant machinery

Tina Iverson and colleagues provide a structural view into the assembly of a protein machine essential for cellular energy production.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 11, 2020

A key to calcium signaling

Erkan Karakas and colleagues used cryo-electron microscopy to determine structural details of a calcium channel protein that has numerous cell signaling roles.

By Sanjay Mishra
January 10, 2020

Structural views of a C. diff toxin

D. Borden Lacy and colleagues used cryo-electron microscopy to define the structure of a C. diff toxin, providing a framework for the design of novel therapeutics.

By Leigh MacMillan
Brain image
November 14, 2019

Blueprint for treating epilepsy

Structural details of a protein that is essential to normal brain function could improve treatments for epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

By Bill Snyder
May 29, 2019

Study details regulation of a multi-drug transporter

P-glycoprotein distinguishes between chemicals that it will expel from a cell and inhibitors that block its action.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 25, 2019

A new antibiotic’s mechanism of action

Vanderbilt investigators have characterized how a new first-in-class antibacterial drug works, which will guide the development of additional compounds that overcome antibacterial resistance.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 12, 2018

Cellular stress defense

The modular architecture of small heat-shock proteins contributes to the ability of these proteins to aid cells in responding to stress.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 19, 2018

Fueling the MATE transporter

Vanderbilt researchers used spectroscopy to understand how a drug transporter pumps drugs out of cells, findings that are important for developing novel anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drugs that can overcome drug resistance.
By Sanjay Mishra
March 12, 2018

Long QT syndrome – revealed

Vanderbilt investigators have used sophisticated cell biological and structural techniques to “classify” mutations in potassium channels, studies that could lead to personalized treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
By Bill Snyder
April 27, 2017

Protein structure may aid in treating Alzheimer’s disease

A new protein structure may guide the development of Alzheimer's therapeutics.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 3, 2017

Fighting fungal infections

A detailed structural and functional analysis of the yeast protein that is the main target of antifungal drugs will help direct efforts to develop better treatments.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 11, 2014

Bacterial secretion machinery: 3-D view

New structural findings reveal how "gatekeeper" proteins participate in the secretion systems bacteria use to infect host cells.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 23, 2014

New view of transporter dynamics

New insights to the workings of a protein that moves neurotransmitters across the nerve cell membrane could aid the design of more effective antidepressants.
By Bill Snyder