Membrane Biophysics

Welcome to the Basso Research Group at the State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro (UENF)

The research in our lab is focused on the understanding of the interplay between structure, dynamics, and function of membrane proteins, peptides, and membranotropic drugs in models of cell membranes along with the dynamic structure of model and biological membranes.

To do so, we utilize a multidisciplinary approach combining electron and nuclear magnetic resonances, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, molecular dynamics simulations, protein biochemistry, and recombinant protein expression to study the structure and conformational dynamics of biological systems.

In particular, we have been using continuous-wave and pulsed electron magnetic resonance spectroscopies to monitor conformational changes in proteins and peptides, to identify nuclei surrounding the lipid and protein paramagnetic sites, to report on the degree of hydration of lipid bilayer membranes, and to investigate the local ordering and rotational dynamics at particular sites of proteins, peptides, and lipids.

Please visit our research page to check out what we have been doing, and do not hesitate to contact us should you have further queries.