Structural biology explores the shapes of proteins and other biological molecules, and how these shapes dictate their functions in the body. Proteins are essential for nearly every cellular process, and their 3D structures determine how they interact with molecules like DNA and other proteins. By studying these structures, scientists gain insight into normal biological processes—and into how these processes malfunction in diseases such as cancer.

At MCW, researchers use advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and X-ray diffraction to capture proteins in extraordinary detail. These methods generate high-resolution, three-dimensional images that reveal the intricate architecture of molecular structures—information crucial for understanding protein function.

In cancer, many proteins that drive tumor growth and metastasis undergo structural changes that disrupt their normal behavior. These alterations allow cancer cells to proliferate uncontrollably, evade the immune system, or resist treatment. Mapping these structural changes helps scientists identify vulnerabilities in cancer cells, which become targets for new therapies.

Cryo-EM, in particular, lets researchers examine cancer-related proteins with remarkable clarity, revealing specific alterations that serve as precise targets for treatment. By showing the exact shapes and functional sites of these proteins, structural biology guides the development of precision medicine—therapies designed to target the specific protein changes driving a person’s cancer.