How are cells programmed?

 

how are cells programmed

Cells are complex systems whose networks of interconnected components follow sophisticated functional “programs” to turn chemistry and physics into biology.  By understanding how living systems sense information in their environment, process and store that information, and generate robust responses, we seek to improve our understanding of the natural world and our ability to influence cells in beneficial directions.  

Research in the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences includes theoretical and experimental investigations of the fundamentals of biological function, as well as efforts that leverage our knowledge of biology to target and engineer cells, improving human health and environmental sustainability.

Virgis Barzda

Virgis Barzda

Non-invasively images live cells and subcellualar organelles to study cardiac and skeletal muscle cells and the organization of cancerous tissue.

Claudiu Gradinaru

Claudiu Gradinaru

Uses single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to reveal conformations, interactions and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins and GPCR receptors.

Andreas Hilfinger

Andreas Hilfinger

Develops theoretical tools to translate biological data from single cells into an understanding of how cellular components interact to form the whole.

Voula Kanelis

Voula Kanelis

Uses NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical tools to obtain molecular-level details of proteins (e.g. ABC transporters), and understand how genetic changes in proteins cause disease.

Dave McMillen

Dave McMillen

Uses synthetic biology approaches to design cell-based solutions to problems in sensing and human health, in Canada and in under-resourced global communities.

Josh Milstein

Joshua Milstein

Builds single-molecule tools to study the cellular organization and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids.

Scott Prossener

Scott Prosser

Uses NMR Spectroscopy to understand protein folding and misfolding, how enzymes function, and the dynamics of GPCR receptors.

Sarah Rauscher

Sarah Rauscher

Applies computational biophysics to understand the atomistic structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins.

Jumi Shin

Jumi Shin

Designs “frankenproteins” that regulate targeted gene circuits by binding specific DNA sequences.