Cryo-EM Integrative Structural Biology Laboratory

	Welcome to our Cryo-EM Lab, where we explore biological mysteries through cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy. Our mission: decode life's secrets, delving into both photosynthesis and cellular transport mechanisms. By capturing detailed snapshots of photosynthetic proteins and cellular cargo carriers, we gain insights into energy harnessing and potential medical advancements. Join us on this scientific adventure as we unlock the secrets of life's blueprints, revealing fascinating discoveries in the microscopic marvels of the world. 🌱🦠🔬
	Dmitry A. Semchonok Investigador Principal PhD 2016 in Biophysical Chemistry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, the Netherlands Phone (+351) 214469668 Extension 69668 Office 6.13 dmitry.semchonok@itqb.unl.pt | MX Unit Website ORCID 0000-0003-1622-9443 CIÊNCIA ID 7711-3EF4-705E

Research Interests

At Cryo-EM Integrative Structural Biology Lab, our research focuses on:

• Photosynthetic Processes: We strive to understand the central processes in photosynthetic organisms through high-resolution structural characterization using cryo-EM. This includes studying membrane-associated/bounded pigment-protein complexes, supercomplexes of metabolic pathways, and decoding stoichiometries, subunit proximity, interfaces, and reaction centers.
• Cellular Transport Mechanisms: Our secondary research interest delves into the intricate structures of cellular transport vesicles and the dynamics of key proteins governing intracellular trafficking and membrane dynamics. We aim to decode the mechanisms underlying cellular transport, focusing on processes like vesicle assembly and disassembly.

Group Members

• Diogo Ferreira, Researcher

   

Selected Publications

1. M. Opatíková, D. A. Semchonok, D. Kopečný, P. Ilík, P. Pospíšil, I. Ilíková, P. Roudnický, S. Ć. Zeljković, P. Tarkowski, F. L. Kyrilis, F. Hamdi, P. L. Kastritis, R. Kouřil, Cryo-EM structure of a plant photosystem II supercomplex with light-harvesting protein Lhcb8 and α-tocopherol. Nat. Plants (2023), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01483-0.
2.  D. A. Semchonok, J. Mondal, C. J. Cooper, K. Schlum, M. Li, M. Amin, C. O. S. Sorzano, E. Ramírez-Aportela, P. L. Kastritis, E. J. Boekema, A. Guskov, B. D. Bruce, Cryo-EM structure of a tetrameric photosystem I from Chroococcidiopsis TS-821, a thermophilic, unicellular, non-heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium. Plant Communications. 3, 100248 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100248.
3. C. O. S. Sorzano, D. Semchonok, S.-C. Lin, Y.-C. Lo, J. L. Vilas, A. Jiménez-Moreno, M. Gragera, S. Vacca, D. Maluenda, M. Martínez, E. Ramírez-Aportela, R. Melero, A. Cuervo, J. J. Conesa, P. Conesa, P. Losana, L. del Caño, J. J. de la Morena, Y. C. Fonseca, R. Sánchez-García, D. Strelak, E. Fernández-Giménez, F. de Isidro, D. Herreros, P. L. Kastritis, R. Marabini, B. D. Bruce, J. M. Carazo, Algorithmic robustness to preferred orientations in single particle analysis by CryoEM. Journal of Structural Biology. 213, 107695 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107695.
4. Y. Zhou, J. H. Syed, D. A. Semchonok, E. Wright, F. L. Kyrilis, F. Hamdi, P. L. Kastritis, B. D. Bruce, T. B. Reynolds, Solubilization, purification, and characterization of the hexameric form of phosphatidylserine synthase from Candida albicans. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 299, 104756 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104756.
5. Boekema, E., & Semchonok, D. (2018). Organization of photosynthetic membrane proteins into supercomplexes. In R. Croce, R. van Grondelle, H. van Amerongen, & I. van Stokkum (Eds.), Light Harvesting in Photosynthesis (1 ed., Vol. 1, pp. 207-217). (Foundation of Biochemistry and Biophysics). CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351242899-10.

MX Unit Website

For further information please visit the MX Unit Website

Cryo-EM Integrative Structural Biology Laboratory (PT)

Bem-vindo ao Cryo-EM Lab, onde exploramos mistérios biológicos através de microscopia crioeletrônica de ponta. A nossa missão: decodificar os segredos da vida, investigando tanto a fotossíntese quanto os mecanismos de transporte celular. Ao capturar instantâneos detalhados de proteínas fotossintéticas e portadores de carga celular, obtemos insights sobre aproveitamento de energia e potenciais avanços médicos. Junte-se a nós nesta aventura científica enquanto desvendamos os segredos dos projetos da vida, revelando descobertas fascinantes nas maravilhas microscópicas do mundo. 🌱🦠🔬

top