Research Units

Structural biology is a highly interactive and versatile discipline dedicated to elucidating the function of biomolecules by high-resolution analysis of their 3-dimensional structure. This might include studies of molecular dynamics and interactions, also with atomic resolution.

Structural biology relies on the combination and cooperation of several complementary techniques. One of these is specialised biochemistry to provide for the target molecules with the required purity, quantity and with possible modifications. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy are used as the experimental core techniques for structure analysis up to atomic resolution. Computational bioinformatics methods are necessary for structure prediction, calculation and analysis and various auxiliary biophysical methods to characterise further the target molecules and complement the structural information. This multi-disciplinary approach can provide a fundamental understanding of complex biological phenomena at molecular level. The resulting data on atomic distances, molecular shape, dynamics, charge distribution, interaction, etc., allow a comprehensive view on molecular mechanisms of action. Such knowledge is of basic importance for various fields of research, and particularly for rational drug development.