Structural Molecular Biology

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June 17, 2020
News Brief
Researchers map out intricate processes that activate key brain molecule
For the first time, scientists have revealed the steps needed to turn on a receptor that helps regulate neuron firing. The findings might help researchers understand and someday treat addiction, psychosis and other neuropsychological diseases.
yellow and blue protein structures.
June 8, 2020
News Feature
Scientists marry two powerful techniques to pinpoint locations of individual molecules in their cellular neighborhoods
Researchers expect the new method to answer fundamental questions in biology and materials science. First up: Images showing molecules that help guide cell division in bacteria.
April 16, 2020
News Feature
SLAC joins the global fight against COVID-19
The lab is responding to the coronavirus crisis by imaging disease-related biomolecules, developing standards for reliable coronavirus testing and enabling other essential research.
SARS-CoV-2
March 25, 2020
Press Release
SLAC researcher discovers giant cavity in key tuberculosis molecule
The giant cavity, in a protein that transports nutrients across the cell membrane, is unlike anything researchers have seen before.
A scientist working overlaid on a world map and images of tuberculosis bacteria.
February 12, 2020
News Feature
Researchers show how electric fields affect a molecular twist within light-sensitive proteins
A better understanding of this phenomenon, which is crucial to many processes that occur in biological systems and materials, could enable researchers to develop light-sensitive proteins for areas such as biological imaging and optogenetics.
photoexcitation
December 16, 2019
News Brief
Researchers reveal how enzyme motions catalyze reactions
What they learned could lead to a better understanding of how antibiotics are broken down in the body, potentially leading to the development of more effective drugs.
November 15, 2019
News Feature
New insight into a cancer-shielding protein could guide a new generation of cancer treatments
A better understanding of ‘checkpoint proteins,’ which protect cancer cells against immune system strikes, could lead to the development of more effective drugs.
VISTA
October 1, 2019
News Feature
SLAC’s Aina Cohen receives 2019 Farrel W. Lytle Award
She is recognized for two decades of innovation and excellence at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.
Aina Cohen
September 23, 2019
News Feature
In brief: Breaking up buckyballs is hard to do
A new study shows how soccer ball-shaped molecules burst more slowly than expected when blasted with an X-ray laser beam.
Buckyballs
September 10, 2019
News Feature
Xinru Wang wins 2019 Klein Award for research on cell signaling in enzymes
Using SLAC’s X-ray synchrotron SSRL, Wang improves fundamental knowledge about how cells communicate, which could enable the development of more effective drugs.
Xinru Wang

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