Molecular biophysics is about applying physical principles to the study of protein function, and we strive to deepen the scientific knowledge of what causes diseases and ultimately design novel therapeutics. In this research group, faculty, students and trainees investigate the link between structure and function. Through the application of chemistry, physics and mathematics, we study the function of biologically important proteins to develop a detailed understanding of how they work. The more we understand the structural basis of function, the better opportunities we have to understand what goes wrong in disease and develop methods of correction.
Using cutting-edge technology such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and cryotransmission electron microscopy, our researchers cover a broad range of interests with clinical implications, including:
- Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
- Anxiety disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Depression
- Gene expression
- Schizophrenia
With job opportunities in medicine, academia, government agencies and private industry, this research has far-reaching, real-world applicability for students and trainees beyond their time at VCU. For example, investigators in our department have been investigating the antidepressant effects of psychedelic drugs and related compounds.
Unlocking the mysteries and mechanisms behind psychedelics’ antidepressant activity
School of Medicine researchers are looking to understand the antidepressant effects of psychedelic drugs, with an eye toward developing non-hallucinogenic versions.
Partners and Collaborators
Faculty
Jose M. Eltit, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Jose M. Eltit, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Psychostimulants and potential therapeutic targets for psychostimulants use disorder; mechanisms behind maladaptive responses of the heart to common arrhythmias and potential therapies
Email: jose.eltit@vcuhealth.org
Carlos R. Escalante, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Carlos R. Escalante, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Assistant Graduate Program Director
VCU MARC Undergraduate Program Codirector
Research interests: Structural biology of ssDNA viruses and regulation of transcription and replication processes using x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy
Email: carlos.escalante@vcuhealth.org
Javier González-Maeso, Ph.D.
Professor
Javier González-Maeso, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Structure, function and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), their interacting proteins and psychiatric disease associations such as schizophrenia, depression and opioid use disorder
Email: javier.maeso@vcuhealth.org
Qinglian Liu, Ph.D.
Professor
Qinglian Liu, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Structural and functional analysis of Hsp70/Hsp110 molecular chaperones for treating fungal infections, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases
Email: qinglian.liu@vcuhealth.org
I. Scott Ramsey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
I. Scott Ramsey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Structural bases of ion channel gating and permeation; automated high-throughput electrophysiology; targeting ion channels for novel therapeutic approaches to treat neuroinflammation, deafness and inflammatory airway disease
Email: ian.ramsey@vcuhealth.org
Montserrat Samso, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Montserrat Samso, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Core Director CryoEM
Co-Director of the VCU Structural Biology Core Laboratory
Research interests: Structure-function of macromolecular machines using cryo-electron microscopy; ultrastructure of muscle to understand cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders
Email: montserrat.samso@vcuhealth.org
Gea-Ny Tseng, Ph.D.
Professor
Gea-Ny Tseng, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research interests: Pathways of protein trafficking in adult cardiac myocytes and the linkage between dysregulation of protein trafficking and disease progression in the heart
Email: gea-ny.tseng@vcuhealth.org