Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU)
Recent Submissions
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Structural and functional characterization of human regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1)
RTEL1 is an ATP-dependent DNA helicase that translocates on the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from 5′ to 3′ direction. It is an iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster and DEAH motif-containing helicase. RTEL1 has been shown to play ... -
Design of Immunogens Derived from the Conserved Stem of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin
Embargo up to 15/7/2025 -
Interaction of hnRNPK with RNA and characterization of its phase separation behavior
Heterogenous ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a class of proteins initially discovered to protect the nascent transcripts before they develop into primary mRNAs. They are involved in almost all the stages of mRNA metabolism, ... -
Determinants of protein stability and function inferred from saturation mutagenesis and next-generation sequencing
Proteins play a central role in all biological processes. Despite a similar underlying composition, they exhibit immense diversity in structures and functions, a subject of great interest. The research presented in this ... -
Plasticity Paradigms: Navigating Protein Conformational Dynamics and Phenotypic Variability in Biological Systems
The complex dynamics and responses of biological systems to environmental cues are shaped by their inherent plasticity and adaptability. This biological plasticity, operational at multiple levels - ranging from the molecular ... -
Deep mutational scanning to enhance immunogenicity and map antibody responses to HIV-1
Embargo upto 15/7/2025 -
Computational investigation of peripheral membrane protein "Pleckstrin homology domain" and its regulation
The peripheral membrane protein repertoire is around 25% composed of the Pleckstrin homology domain (PHD). PHD are component of the multidomain protein and plays the role of an adaptor in recruitment of these proteins ... -
Role of the unstructured N-terminal region and interacting proteins on the function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis σA
A distinctive feature of the bacterial RNA polymerase is the modular organization. The core of this enzyme, comprised of a dimer of the α subunit assembles with the β, β', and ω subunit. The core RNA polymerase enzyme ... -
Understanding protein structural excursions using residue networks and implications on biological function
The information required for a protein structure to fold into the native conformation is encoded in its sequence. Studying protein structures help to understand their biological function. Molecular interactions between ... -
Understanding the interaction mechanism of bacterial virulence factors and effector proteins with host lipid membrane using single particle cryo-electron microscopy
Pathogenic bacteria employ an array of biological macromolecules and cellular structures that help in the initiation and progression of disease in host organism. These ‘virulence factors’ can either be secreted by the ... -
Solution NMR studies of a potent subtilisin inhibitor from Budgett’s frog and the catalytic subunit of AHAS
This thesis involves a detailed structural study of two molecular systems, a small disulfide-rich peptide LL-TIL and a large catalytic subunit of AHAS. Subtilisin inhibitors play an important role in fighting against ... -
Understanding structure, function, and dynamics in macromolecular complexes
In the scope of my thesis work, a concerted effort was undertaken to elucidate bi- ological functions through the lens of structural analysis, employing protein dy- namics. The role of protein dynamics in shaping and ... -
Conformational Heterogeneity, Solution Structure and Autoregulatory Roles of the MazE9 Antitoxin from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The work presented in this thesis endeavors to decode the details of the dynamics of MazE9 antitoxin of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis MazEF9 toxin-antitoxin system and the transcriptional autoregulation effected by it. ... -
On mechanisms and conformational dynamics of Drug:H+ Antiporters
Multidrug efflux is an active transport process involving energy consumption to drive antibacterial compounds out of cells. This is performed either through primary active transport, where chemical energy, such as hydrolysis ... -
Role of autophagy in reducing peripheral neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the central or peripheral nervous system due to injury, disease, diabetes, or drug use. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a distinct feature observed in neuropathic ... -
Structural insights into the organization and channel behavior of Pannexin isoforms
Pannexins are large-pore ion channels structurally related to Connexins and Innexins but remain as hemichannels to release cellular ATP upon activation. Pannexins comprise three isoforms, Pannexin1, 2, and 3, with diverse ... -
Neuronal complex bursts and network information transfer in the hippocampus are robust to biophysical heterogeneities
Biological entities must adopt mechanisms to override the impact of external perturbations to achieve stability and robustness. A crucial feature of biological systems is that they exhibit several forms of heterogeneities ... -
Structural and functional insights into hybrid AT-less megaenzyme synthase (NRPS) and DNA-MsDps2 complexes using single particle cryo-EM
Microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi, are the producers of structurally diverse, complex organic compounds called as secondary metabolites. These metabolites include polyketides (PKs), non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), ... -
Structural and functional insights into hybrid AT-less megaenzyme synthase (NRPS) and DNA-MsDps2 complexes using single particle cryo-EM
Microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi, are the producers of structurally diverse, complex organic compounds called as secondary metabolites. These metabolites include polyketides (PKs), non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), ... -
Studies on the promoter specificity determinants and modulators of the prokaryotic transcription machinery
Bacteria adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions by synchronizing transcription with changes in the extracellular environment. This is achieved by the synchronized action of two-component systems, Extra Cytoplasmic ...