The center complements other NIH centers at SLAC and elsewhere that broaden access to this cutting-edge technology for biomedical research.

No human cell can function without these tiny machines, which cause disease when they go haywire and offer potential targets for therapeutic drugs.

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.

The lab is responding to the coronavirus crisis by imaging disease-related biomolecules, developing standards for reliable coronavirus testing and enabling other essential research.