Conveners
W3-4 Molecular and Cellular Biophysics (DPMB) / Biophysique moléculaire et biophysique cellulaire (DPMB)
- Melanie Campbell (University of Waterloo)
How did the first genetic code and the first forms of cellular appear in the early life, about 3.5 billion years ago, of terrestrial and Earth‐like exoplanets? This question has become especially timely with the discovery of an ever‐increasing number of rocky exoplanets where liquid water is present and the successful landing of Perseverance, the latest of NASA’s Mars rovers to search for...
Applying a novel computational technique to the structure of Candida Antarctica Lipase B, which is an efficient catalyst with a wide range of applications, this study investigates the potential for its industrial applications owing to its activity under extreme conditions. We examined themolecular effects of distinct solvents on the stability of CalB at high temperatures, aiming to con-tribute...
We combined information from Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Single-Molecule Förster Energy Transfer (smFRET) to calculate conformational ensembles for the neuronal transcription factor initiation protein 4E-BP2. This is a 120-residue intrinsically disordered protein which toggles between an active,...
Antimicrobial drug resistance is a growing health threat that is predicted to kill 10 million people per year globally by 2050 unless preventative measures are put in place. The first step in implementing these measures is to gain a better understanding of the fundamental processes involved in antimicrobial drug resistance through quantitative approaches from fields such as biophysics,...
Separating and analyzing DNA, RNA or proteins is often done through gel electrophoresis. This simple technique is conducted millions of times in labs every day world-wide. Analysis of the gels is typically done visually on a photo by comparing measured intensities with a well-defined reference ladder. Using digital photography and image analysis, we have developed a technique to quantitatively...
When nanopores are used to capture and translocate DNA molecules through a wall or membrane, the resulting capture rate is essentially independent of their molecular size, making the process incapable of changing relative concentrations in a mixture. Using Langevin Dynamics simulations, we show that it is possible to use pulsed fields to ratchet captured semiflexible molecules so that only...
Morphogens (often acting as transcription activators or repressors) govern pattern formation and cell differentiation during early embryogenesis. Abnormal distributions of morphogens can result in developmental defects or even death. Oftentimes, thresholds of concentrations of morphogens behave like an ON/OFF switch for the activation or repression of downstream genes. Thus accurate...
The analysis of human nail clippings to determine the concentration of certain elements of interest is now fairly common. Results can be used to assess exposure to various elements and their absorption into the body. When nail clippings are used as a biomarker in this way, they are typically analyzed by a method such as inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or instrumental...
