The Sealy Center for Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics (SCSB)
aids scientists interested in elucidating the basic relationships
between macromolecular sequence, structure and function, with a goal of
leveraging this information into the understanding and treatment of
disease. The basic research within SCSB combines thermodynamic, kinetic
and structural data about biomolecules and their complexes to understand
important biomedical processes. The structural and dynamical basis for
molecular recognition, signal transduction, protein folding and
allosteric regulation is studied by X-ray crystallographic and scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopic techniques, advanced computational tools, and solution biophysics and thermodynamics. To facilitate its research, the center has a research development
team which provides research development/proposal development support
to faculty within the center and its affiliated departments.
In addition to its basic research goals, the SCSB provides
education opportunities for post-docs and graduate students, and
sponsors short courses and workshops for the faculty focusing on the use
of NMR, cryo-EM, X-ray techniques, and molecular modeling tools. The
annual symposium brings world renowned researchers together to exchange
ideas in the warm sunshine of the Galveston/Houston area.
The SCSB is more than a facility providing access to high-end
structural biology instrumentation. It is an intellectual center
providing a collegial environment for scientists pursuing a broad range
of research. Structural Biology provides a common ground for our faculty
whose diverse research interests provide a great synergistic benefit to
research across disciplines. The SCSB provides structure to the science
of translational research.