Red Blood Cell Group
We are investigating the function and molecular organization of the human red blood cell membrane (see cartoon below). Included in this research are projects aimed at characterizing: i) the interactions between the membrane and its underlying cytoskeleton, ii) the signal transduction pathways that control cell shape and flexibility, iii) the crystallographic structure of important membrane proteins, and iv) the restorative effects of extracellular cytokines on sickle cell pathology.
Cytoplasmic domain of the erythrocyte membrane protein Band 3 derived from x-ray crystallographic data.
Protein crystral growth.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Haiyan Chu