Understanding Membrane Transport using Cryo-Electron Microcopy
Kenneth Lee | Cellular and Molecular Physiology | Penn State College of Medicine
Mutations in ATP13A2 cause juvenile onset Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. My lab leverages an electron cryo-microscopy technique called single-particle analysis (SPA) to study mechanisms of membrane transport. I will present atomic structures of human ATP13A2 visualized by SPA that reveal physical principles underlying selective polyamine transport and its regulation by lipids. These findings bring us closer to realizing ATP13A2’s potential in neuroprotective therapy.
“Squishy” Catalysts for Light-Mediated Chemistry
Elizabeth Elacqua | Chemistry
While organic chemists are good at synthesizing a variety of small molecules, we fall short of replicating the synthetic precision and fidelity demonstrated by natural enzymes. Nature is truly the best synthetic chemist out there and we draw upon this inspiration to design new catalysts. I will discuss how our team has designed and investigated squishy (polymer-based) homogeneous catalysts that embrace some key design elements found in natural systems to accelerate photoredox reactions and achieve precise bond formation.
The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. Join researchers from across campus for a stellar cup of coffee and two <10 min interdisciplinary talks
The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. Join researchers from across campus for a stellar cup of coffee and two <10 min interdisciplinary talks. All Millennium Café events are free and open to the Penn State community, include coffee and breakfast pastries, and are held in the third floor Café Commons of the Millennium Science Complex at University Park.