Mutant Ribosomes and the Action of Antibiotics

The ribosome, found in all living cells, is the molecular machine that builds proteins. It faithfully attaches together amino acids – the building blocks of proteins – in the order determined by messenger RNA molecules, which in turn follow the instructions contained in DNA. The ribosome also plays a crucial role in medicine. Most antibiotics attack bacteria by disabling their ribosomes, and the bacteria fight back with compensating mutations. Using X-rays, scientists can observe the setup of the ribosome's machinery and the changes in its structure caused by antibiotics and mutations. In this talk, DeMirci will explore how the ribosome is thought to translate the DNA and RNA codes into the amino acid language of proteins, and how the altered structures of the mutants give clues about how the machine operates.

Speaker: Hasan DeMirci, SLAC

Seating is limited and registration is required for entry. If you register and later find you are unable to attend, we ask that you cancel your registration to make room for those on the waiting list.

The lecture will be streamed live for those who are unable to attend in person.