Heersink School of Medicine welcomes new Center for Integrative Structural Biology
Written by Kelsi Lindemann
Gino Cingolani, Ph.D.UAB has committed to a significant leap forward in biomedical research by approving the Center for Integrative Structural Biology (iSB) during the June 2024 University of Alabama System Board of Trustees meeting.
Structural biology studies the 3D-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, as a tool to decipher their function and mechanisms of action. You may be thinking, “But why integrative?” Biological macromolecules are very complex, and no individual structural methodology provides a conclusive answer. Certain methodologies provide snapshots, while other methodologies probe the function without direct visualization–think looking at beautiful pictures versus listening to the radio. Integrative structural biology seeks to visualize a complete movie of how macromolecules function by using more than one method to view molecular structures and how they interact with each other.
iSB will align with the Heersink School of Medicine’s Infection, Inflammation, Immunity and Immuno-Therapy (I-4ward) strategic research focus area, aiming to identify critical areas within biomedical research for growth and expansion. iSB also has support from the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The primary focus of the center is studying biological problems related to infection, inflammation, immunity, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Notably, it will also place a strong emphasis on drug discovery.
Gino Cingolani, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, will serve as the director of the new center. Currently, his lab focuses on studying the structure and function of biological macromolecules through biophysical, biochemical, and cellular techniques. His research digs deeper into protein nuclear import, viral genome delivery, bacteriophage structure and function, and bacterial virulence factors.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Gino Cingolani as the inaugural director of the Center for Integrative Structural Biology (iSB). His leadership will bring the Structural Biology community across UAB together by providing state-of-the-art technologies, training opportunities, and collaborative opportunities, all directed towards the advancement of biomedical research,” said Tika Benveniste, Ph.D., senior vice dean of Heersink School of Medicine.
“iSB’s primary focus is to train and empower UAB scientists to study human diseases using biophysical methodologies traditionally restricted to a few laboratories and develop structure-based therapeutics,” said Cingolani. “This goal aligns with Heersink School of Medicine’s mission to advance medical science through pioneering research.”
To achieve its goals, the center will leverage cutting-edge methodologies. One of the most revolutionary techniques it will employ is cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This technology has transformed 21st-century biomedical research by allowing scientists to visualize biological structures at near-atomic resolution. By understanding the intricate details of proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules, researchers can unravel the underlying mechanisms of diseases and develop targeted therapies.
Goals: Innovate, Train, Partner
The center strives to elevate UAB to the forefront of cutting-edge biomedical research, rivaling the top leaders in structural biology by facilitating and democratizing access to complex structural methodologies and creating a “know how” to stimulate impactful studies.
iSB looks to not only expand the research of integrative structural biology but also train the next generation of researchers who will continue to revolutionize medicine. The center will compete for a T32 training grant in molecular biophysics. It will also create fellowships for graduate students and postdocs, focusing on structural projects. Collaborations outside of the center will also be a priority by establishing working groups and funding collaborative research initiatives.
Partnerships across UAB and external sectors will play a key role in iSB’s forward momentum. The center will leverage these partnerships for talent recruitment, resource optimization, and community involvement. By fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, it aims to translate basic research findings into practical applications.
iSB will reach across UAB, pulling in members from multiple schools and departments, including Heersink departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, Genetics, and Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology; College of Arts and Sciences Department of Chemistry; School of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Southern Research.
Impact
The center will expand existing research cores by facilitating access to state-of-the-art instruments, IT infrastructure, data collection, and analysis software. A strong emphasis will be placed on cryo-EM and areas with the maximum potential for growth and expansion. Heersink recently acquired two cryogenic-transmission electron microscopes. iSB plans to add to that arsenal to assist with visualizing biological macromolecules in the native environment. Researchers within and beyond UAB will benefit from these resources, accelerating their investigations and discoveries.
As iSB grows, it promises to contribute significantly to the understanding of complex biological processes. By deciphering the structural intricacies of biomolecules, doors to novel therapies and diagnostic tools will be opened, as well as the potential to improve human health and enhance the quality of life.
“The golden era of structural biology is now. It has been a long journey from the first protein structure, myoglobin, reported in 1958. We have gone from shining X-rays through crystals of biological molecules frozen in a lattice, as I was trained to do in the nineties, to being able to study protein structures in the native environment of a cell using electron microscopy or predicting all protein structures in an organism through deep-learning algorithms,” said Cingolani.
“It is now time to democratize structural biology and empower all biomedical researchers to read nature like a book. I am super excited to lead iSB and bring UAB to new heights in biomedical research. I am grateful for the support provided by senior leadership to grow structural biology and look forward to working with the structural community at UAB to attract talented researchers to Alabama.”
The commitment to innovation, collaboration, and translational research ensures that it will remain at the forefront of biomedical breakthroughs. Whether it’s designing new drugs or understanding disease pathways, iSB will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between fundamental science and real-world impact.
