1st symposium of Structural Biology

Inauguration of the Platform

Date: May 2, 2019

Time: 8h30 à 18h00

Location: Room E-310, Roger-Gaudry bldg, Université de Montréal

Adress: 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, H3T 1J4

Price: Free



The 1st Structural Biology Symposium

on May 2nd, 2019 will mark the inauguration of the structural biology platform in the department of biochemistry and molecular medicine at the University of Montreal. This scientific event will gather several eminent researchers, including professor Lewis E. Kay, recipient of the 2017 Canada Gairdner International Award and the 2018 Herzberg Medal of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Following major investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Université de Montréal has acquired state-of-the-art equipment for structural biology studies, including NMR spectrometers and a biological SEC-SAXS system. It will be an excellent occasion to visit the new structural biology platform and exchange ideas with several influential researchers specialized in structural biology. A poster competition will also be part of the event.

What is structural biology?

It is a scientific approach that focuses on the structure of biological molecules, such as proteins and RNA for example, in order to fundamentally understand how they function, how they form molecular complexes, and how they respond to metabolites and drugs. Structural biology allows us to understand the organization of biomolecules and their dynamics at the atomic level. Such information becomes extremely valuable for drug design as they interact with biological molecules to modulate their function. Thus, research in structural biology contributes to our growing understanding of biological systems, and also provides new insights for the treatment of a plethora of human diseases including cancer, infections and neurodegenerative diseases.