Structural Biology

How are nutrients recognized by their protein sensors? How is their transport across cellular and intracellular membranes regulated? And, how is nutrient sensing integrated with other chemical signals, such as hormones, to determine cellular decisions, especially the decision: to grow or not to grow?

We combine biophysical methods with in vivo approaches to understand how viruses such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infect host cells and elicit specific humoral immune responses. Our research will translate knowledge of the structural correlates of antibody-mediated neutralization of viruses into the rational development of highly protective antibodies. A related goal is the structure-based design of potent and stable immunogens for vaccination.