Laboratory of Biomolecular Research (LBR)

The PSI Laboratory of Biomolecular Research studies the structure and dynamics of proteins on the atomic level by state-of-the-art structural biology techniques at Swiss Universities and the X-ray large research facilities of PSI.

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LBR research topics

Biomolecular Complexes

Regulation of microtubule structure, function and dynamics by proteins and drugs

Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their signaling complexes

Pathogen Host Interactions

Structural studies of proteins that are relevant for infectious diseases

Time-Resolved Structural Biology

Dynamics of soluble and membrane proteins using XFEL and synchrotron X-ray radiation sources

Mechanisms of Signal Transduction

Structure-function relationship of membrane proteins involved in transmembrane and intracellular signaling

Lab News & Scientific Highlights

Researchers deciphered the structure of an ion channel from the rod cells of the eye (shown in blue) while it interacts with the protein calmodulin (purple).

04.04.2023

•8 min

Calcium sensor helps us to see the stars

New insight into how the protein calmodulin interacts with an ion channel in the eye could explain how our eyes achieve remarkable sensitivity to dim light.

22.03.2023

•Fundamentals of Nature

•8 min

How vision begins

SwissFEL

Biology

PSI scientists have discovered the very first step occurring in the eye when light hits the retina.

Medikamente mit Licht an- und abschalten

20.02.2023

•Health Innovation

•9 min

Using light to switch drugs on and off

SwissFEL

SLS

Medical Science

PSI researchers record a molecular film of a cancer drug fitted with a photoswitch. This opens new insights for drug developers.

More Highlights

Publications

Aad G, Abbott B, Abeling K, Abicht NJ, Abidi SH, Aboulhorma A, et al.
Evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon at the LHC
Physical Review Letters. 2024; 132(2): 021803 (32 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.021803
DORA PSI
Abel AC, Mühlethaler T, Dessin C, Schachtsiek T, Sammet B, Sharpe T, et al.
Bridging the maytansine and vinca sites: Cryptophycins target β-tubulin's T5-loop
Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2024; 300(6): 107363 (10 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107363
DORA PSI
Abreu S, Chicherin D, Ita H, Page B, Sotnikov V, Tschernow W, et al.
All two-loop Feynman integrals for five-point one-mass scattering
Physical Review Letters. 2024; 132(14): 141601 (7 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.141601
DORA PSI