William A. Cramer

01-07-2010

Henry Koffler Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences

Our studies concern the structure and function of membrane proteins involved in energy transduction, protein import in bacteria, and Parkinson's Disease. We have determined atomic structures of the central protein complex of the energy transducing electron transport chain of oxygenic photosyntheis (shown below) and membrane proteins of an intestinal bacterium that are responsible for its uptake of vitamin B12 as well as toxins and bacterial viruses. Structure studies have been initiated, in collaboration with C. Rochet, to obtain a similar structure of the alpha-synuclein protein that interacts with membranes and is associated with the etiology of Parkinson's Disease.