The V/A-ATPase from Thermus thermophilus is a rotary motor that couples transmembrane-proton translocation to the synthesis of ATP. This model was produced by imaging frozen-hydrated V/A-ATPase complexes with an electron microscope and computationally calculating the structure of the protein complex. Image: John Rubinstein.
The three-dimensional structures of biological molecules, their interactions and molecular motion provide the fundamental basis for understanding how they mediate their functions.
Techniques including NMR, X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy can give us structural snapshots, while we can gain insight into their biomolecular interactions through SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance), ITC (Isothermal Titration Calorimetry), MST (Microscale Thermophoresis) and BLI (Biolayer Interferometry). Changes in molecular motion can be obtained using tools like NMR, EPR, mass spectrometry, CD and fluorescence spectroscopy, sedimentation analysis, and molecular dynamics computational simulations.
Using these tools we are studying structure-function relationships within key macromolecules. Included among these are protein and membrane-protein structures, protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid and protein-ligand interactions, protein folding, stability and dynamics, and enzyme specificity and catalysis.
These macromolecules play important roles in many biological systems and in addition to providing insight into the principles upon which complex biological systems are based, our work has long-term applications in the biotechnology and health care sectors.
Faculty in the Department conducting research in this area:
Protein Folding and Design
Chakrabartty LabMaRS Centre
Toronto Medical Discovery Tower
4th Floor Room 4-307
101 College St.
Dr. Avi Chakrabartty
416-581-7553 chakrab@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Theoretical and Computational Investigations of Protein Folding, Interactions, and Evolution
Chan Research GroupMSB 5207
1 King's College Circle
Dr. Hue Sun Chan
416-978-2697 chan@arrhenius.med.utoronto.ca
Bacteriophages
Davidson LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Room 1634
Toronto, ON
Dr. Alan R. Davidson
416-978-0332 alan.davidson@utoronto.ca
Peptide and Protein Structure in Membranes: From Folding to Drug Discovery
Deber labResearch Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children
Molecular Structure & Function
PGCRL, Room 20.9712
686 Bay Street
Dr. Charles M. Deber
416-813-5924 deber@sickkids.ca
Transmembrane Signaling by GPCRs
Ernst LabMSB, Room 5316A
1 King's College Circle
Dr. Oliver P. Ernst
416-978-3849 oliver.ernst@utoronto.ca
Structural Studies of Disordered Proteins
Forman-Kay labMolecular Medicine
Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL)
Room 20-9713
686 Bay Street
Dr. Julie D. Forman-Kay
416-813-5358 forman@sickkids.ca
Cellular Protein Homeostasis Research Group
Houry Lab661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre
West Tower, Room 1612
Dr. Walid A. Houry
416-946-7141 walid.houry@utoronto.ca
Microbial Biofilm Formation: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutics
Howell LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL)
Room 20-9715
686 Bay Street
Dr. P. Lynne Howell
416-813-5378 howell@sickkids.ca
Molecular characterization of antibody-antigen complexes to guide the design of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics
Julien laboratoryPeter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), Room 20-9703
686 Bay St.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Julien
416-813-7654, ext. 309424 jean-philippe.julien@sickkids.ca
Blood Coagulation in Health and Disease
Kahr labThe Hospital for Sick Children
PGCRL, Rm 19.9714
686 Bay Street
Dr. Walter H.A. Kahr
416-813-7977 walter.kahr@sickkids.ca
NMR of Supra-Molecular Machines; Characterizing Low Populated States of Proteins
Kay LaboratoryMedical Sciences Building, Room 1233
1 King's College Circle
Dr. Lewis E. Kay
416-978-0741 kay@pound.med.utoronto.ca
Sequence/Structure/Function Relationships Determining the Elastomeric Properties of Elastin
Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children
PGCRL
686 Bay Street
Dr. Fred W. Keeley
416-813-6704 fwk@sickkids.ca
Bacteriophages and Human Health
Maxwell LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Suite 1600
Dr. Karen Maxwell
416-978-0872 karen.maxwell@utoronto.ca
Models for Cardiac and Neuronal Drug Toxicity and New Methods of Improving Cardiac Function
Maynes LabDepartment of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Ave
Dr. Jason T. Maynes
416-813-5934 jason.maynes@sickkids.ca
Bacterial Toxin Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms & Drug Discovery
Melnyk LabDr. Roman A. Melnyk
416-813-7654 ext. 328557 roman.melnyk@sickkids.ca
Membrane Protein Structural Biology
Moraes LabMaRS Center, West Tower
661 University Ave., Rm 1613
Dr. Trevor F. Moraes
416-946-3048 trevor.moraes@utoronto.ca
Structural Studies of Virus Assembly
University of Toronto
MaRS Discovery Centre, West Tower
661 University Avenue
Dr. Michael Norris
416-946-7884 michael.norris@utoronto.ca
Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer
The Ohh LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Avenue, Suite 1512
Dr. Michael Ohh
416-946-7922 michael.ohh@utoronto.ca
The structural determinants of protein function
Pai LabMSB, Room 5358
1 KIng's College Circle
Dr. Emil F. Pai
416-581-7545 pai@hera.med.utoronto.ca
Computational Studies of Biomolecular Structure and Function
Pomès LabPGCRL Room 21.9713
Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay St
Dr. Régis Pomès
416-813-5686 pomes@sickkids.ca
Structural Biology of Protein Complexes
Privé LabRoom 4-803 PMCRT
101 College Street
Dr. Gil Privé
416-581-7541 prive@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Using NMR to Investigate Protein Structure and Dynamics
Prosser LabUniversity of Toronto, Mississauga
South Building, Room
Dr. R. Scott Prosser
scott.prosser@utoronto.ca
Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins
Reithmeier LabMedical Sciences Building, Room 5368
Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier
416-978-7739 r.reithmeier@utoronto.ca
Mammalian Cell Membrane and Secreted Proteins/Glycoproteins
MaRS Centre, West Tower, Rm 1614
661 University Ave
Dr. James M. Rini
416-978-0557 james.rini@utoronto.ca
Electron Cryomicroscopy of Macromolecular Machines
The Rubinstein LaboratoryRm. 20-9705
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
The Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay Street, Toronto
Dr. John L. Rubinstein
416-813-7255 john.rubinstein@utoronto.ca
Molecular-Level Study of Macromolecular Assemblies in Human Health and Disease
Sharpe LabPeter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning
686 Bay St., Room 20.9714
Dr. Simon Sharpe
416-813-7852 ssharpe@sickkids.ca
Structural Biology of Eukaryotic Signal Transduction
Sicheri LabMount Sinai Hospital
600 University Avenue, Room 1090
Dr. Frank Sicheri
416 586-8471 sicheri@lunenfeld.ca
Protein Misfolding and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Watts LabTanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Krembil Discovery Tower
60 Leonard Ave., Rm. 6KD412
Dr. Joel C. Watts
416-507-6891 joel.watts@utoronto.ca
Fundamental Mechanisms of Molecular Self-Assembly
Yip Lab404 - 160 College St
Dr. Christopher M. Yip
416-978-7853 christopher.yip@utoronto.ca