Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis serves as the gateway for energy to enter into our biosphere, making it one of the most fundamental biological processes in evolutionary history.
The Gisriel lab opens in August of 2024.
We are happy to welcome Drs. Gaozhong Shen and Nikki Magdaong to the group as research scientists! They start in Septemeber of 2024.
Our focus
From the food we eat to the oxygen we breathe, photosynthesis is vital for most life on Earth. Central to photosynthesis are pigment-protein complexes called photosystems that convert the energy of sunlight into chemical potential energy. The Gisriel Lab explores the molecular basis of the photosystems, such as their biogenesis and the diversity of their light-harvesting characteristics in nature. This provides fundamental basic knowledge, and design principles for protein engineering.
Our approach
The Gisriel Lab focuses on the structure, function, and evolution of key photosynthetic macromolecules to advance basic energy sciences. We specialize in uncovering how pigment-protein complexes operate using various methods, including protein isolation and spectroscopy. Our main technique, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), produces detailed 3D molecular maps, enabling us to model intricate features such as amino acids and cofactors.
433 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Email
gisriel@wisc.edu
Phone
480.415.4638