Seminars Archive

Molecular Architecture of cellular machines visualized by electron microscopy

Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy of single particles in combination with 3D reconstruction offers a way to visualize molecular machines in different functional states under native conditions. Using this technique, we are studying the mechanism of genetic information transfer from DNA to protein and in particular dynamic macromolecules that convert chemical energy into mechanical work. During replication each cell faces the challenge to make an exact copy of the genetic information by duplicating its DNA molecule. In the course of their lifetime the next complication they encounter is how to activate the appropriate genes at the right time and last but not least the copied gene product (mRNA) has to be translated from the nucleotide code into the amino acid code. I will be presenting some of the key players along this path and what we have learned by combining structural information obtained from different techniques to advance our understanding of those fundamental biological processes.