Life requires the creation of force. From muscle contraction to the unwinding of DNA helices, many cellular processes are powered by protein motors, which transform chemical energy in the form of ATP into motion for productive work. Dr Glynn will discuss how a family of specialized ATP-fueled motors provide the force needed to drive key events in the life of the cell, and how recent advances in bioimaging are revealing the intricate mechanisms of these biological nanomachines.
Dr. Steven E. Glynn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. His research focuses on how enzymes unfold intracellular proteins by converting chemical energy into mechanical force. Dr Glynn earned a B.S. and Ph.D from the University of Sheffield, U.K., and undertook post-doctoral training at M.I.T. His research is supported by the National Institutes of Health.