Areas of Interest
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My research interests are focused on revealing the molecular mechanisms at work in complex biological systems with the use of single molecule, optical spectroscopy. My lab uses a variety of optical techniques (including single molecule FRET, single particle tracking, and fluorescence quenching) that are capable of resolving the real-time dynamical motion of individual biological molecules. Experiments that follow the behavior of single molecules have the ability to uncover properties that are impossible to observe in bulk measurements due to the inherent averaging over molecules and over time. Current experimental efforts are addressing questions in a wide variety of biological systems. We are pursuing aspects of protein folding, the connection between protein conformational dynamics and enzymatic function, and viral infection pathways in living cells. We are particularly interested in membrane phenomena including protein mediated membrane fusion and membrane protein translocation.
Recent Publications
A. Brunger, K. Weninger, M. Bowen, S. Chu,
"Single-molecule studies of the neuronal SNARE fusion machinery",
Annual Review of Biochemistry, 78¸ 903 (2009).
K. Weninger, "How do adhesion proteins stick?", Structure, 17, 1035 (2009)
J.J. Sakon, G.J. Ribeill, J.M. Garguilo, J. Perkins, K.R. Weninger and R.J. Nemanich,
"Fluorescence quenching effects of nanocrystalline diamond surfaces", Diamond and Related Materials, 18, 82 (2009).
W. Thongthai, K. Weninger,
"Photoinactivation of Sindbis virus infectivity without inhibition of membrane fusion", Photochemistry and Photobiology, 85, 801 (2009).
L. Wessels, K. Weninger,
"Physical aspects of viral membrane fusion", TheScientificWorld, 9, 764-780 (2009)
K. Weninger, M. Bowen, U. Choi, A. Brunger, S. Chu
"Accessory proteins stabilize the acceptor complex for synaptobrevin, the 1:1 syntaxin/SNAP-25 complex", Structure, 16, 308 (2008).
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