Biomolecular Structure and Function

Our faculty are engaged in cutting edge research that spans the areas of biochemistry, biophysics, synthetic organic chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, biomedical engineering, peptide and protein chemistry, molecular, cellular and structural biology, cell signaling, neuroscience, bioinorganic chemistry, and oncology with a focus on improving human health and acquiring new insights into the structure and function of biomolecules.  Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and experimental techniques (such as NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, fluorescence spectroscopy, optical microscopy, electrochemistry, biosensing, microfluidics, and nanofabrication) coupled with strong cross-campus and cross-institution collaborations, a plethora of vibrant multi-disciplinary research projects are transforming the scientific landscape at Lehigh University and beyond. Projects include in vitro and in vivo studies of membrane protein structure and function, development of targeted anti-cancer therapeutics, membrane protein cell signaling, (bio)membranes with novel properties and functions, modeling of bacteria cell surfaces, chemical composition and transport dynamics in biological nanostructures, and mechanisms of copper homeostasis and trafficking  in bacteria as well as many others.