My main research interests are functional and structural analyses by 3-D cryo-electron microscopy of cytoskeletal assemblies and macromolecular structures as well as cellular organelles. We apply cryo-electron tomography to investigate the structure function relationships of large macromolecular assemblies and cellular organelles within their native cytosolic environment. We operate two electron microscopes with the latest data recording systems, and peripheral equipment for specimen preparation and data analysis. I received funding to create a new Cryo-Electron Tomography facility (CU-Boulder Center for Cryo-ET: CCET, total funding about $8M). This will add a new FIBSEM microscope plus various peripheral equipment to the University and to MCD-Biology. Since this work is more of a service/consulting type activity, my main training activities to students and other researchers has to be seen as a national effort, rather than only focussed on CU. We have currently one CU-undergraduate student in our lab, but we interact with numerous students (and other trainees) from other institutions nationwide.
keywords
Cellbiology and Cytoskeleton assemblies, 3-D reconstruction of macromolecular assemblies and cellular organelles by cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography
