RESEARCH SUMMARY

We focus in understanding how the three-dimensional structure of macromolecular machines together with its flexibility is linked with their function. We use three-dimensional electron microscopy (3D EM) to study systems characterized both by its flexibility and its vital role in the cell, such as replicative helicases and the centrosome. We regard 3D EM as a technique with the unique potential to study the conformation of macromolecular machines in their cellular context, providing the bridge between “molecular” and “cell” biology. We are also very interested in contributing to help the advance of this technology.

Understanding how function occurs can only be inferred after integrating many different types of data so that, finally, a link is made between the spatial arrangement and the dynamics of concrete chemical entities, and the processes they trigger. This link implies the access to atomic resolution data, therefore the combination of medium resolution and atomic resolution data through fitting is strategic.

We are interested in fitting, in how the fitting can be done, in assuring that structural information by 3D EM is readily available, and in applying these approaches to replicative helicases so that functional models are derived. Finally, we are starting to work in the area of cellular tomography by X-ray Tomography, taking advantage that Spain will have a unique equipment of this type in the ALBA synchrotron.

More information at our website: Biocomputing Unit