The goal of our research is to understand at a molecular level the properties of biological and synthetic macromolecules. To this end, we develop Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) methodologies to measure 1-7 nanometer range interspin distances. We apply the ESR methods to several otherwise inaccessible problems in biophysics and materials sciences. In key applications, distance measurements are exploited to rapidly assay and predict the overall shapes and flexibility of new oligomeric materials, and to shed light on the unfolding processes in model peptides. The experience gained from these efforts is leveraged to address truly complex questions in large biomolecular assemblies, such as ion-channels and aggregates of Amyloid peptides.

Graduate students work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and imbibe a thorough grounding in fundamentals as well as practice.

Explore the diversity of research in our group by clicking on the images above.