Structural Biology
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Group members
We study the molecular structure, function and biotechnical applications of biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), using X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM, NMR spectroscopy, supercritical CO2 extraction, FTIR spectroscopy and other techniques.
Gustav Nestor, Laura Okmane, Jerry Ståhlberg, Andreia Massamby, Nils Mikkelsen (insert)
Research
An important area is fundamental research of structure and function of proteins, both within and outside cells, including isolation or recombinant expression, purification and structural determination of biological catalysts, enzymes, and characterization of their function in biosynthesis and biodegradation in nature.
Structure determination with X-ray crystallography is a core competence and we have deposited over 100 structures at the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Recently we have also started to expand into Cryo-EM and more NMR for macromolecular structure studies.
One major theme is basic and applied research of biological reaction systems, enzymatic and microbial, for biotechnical applications for conversion of biomass, e.g. from agriculture and forestry, for production of renewable fuels, chemicals, materials, food and feed components, to increase usability of renewable plant biomass and thereby contribute to reduction of fossil resource usage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
We also collaborate closely with the Food Biotechnology unit, lead by Professor Volkmar Passoth, in the LipoDrive program, to exploit oil-accumulating yeasts for conversion of carbohydrates from plant biomass to lipids, for production of e.g. biodiesel and fish feed.