Michael A. Cianfrocco, Biophysics Ph.D. student

Research:

I am interested in structurally characterizing large macromolecular assemblies through the use of single-particle electron microscopy. My research has focused exclusively on determining the cryo-EM structure of human TFIID bound to promoter DNA. While the conformational flexibility of TFIID has made this task a formidable one, we recently had a conceptual & structural breakthrough in our understanding of how structural plasticity relates to TFIID function. This came through the use of Orthogonal Tilt Reconstruction methods to calculate individual structural states in combination with advanced image processing & refinement strategies. By using this ab initio approach, we gained the objectivity necessary to understand the structural rearrangements necessary for promoter binding by TFIID.

Throughout this process I have had to become familiar with many new data processing approaches and strategies. A major advance came in the implementation ofLEGINON on both the T12 and F20 microscopes, allowing even faster screening of grids and the ability to collect large cryo-EM datasets that were not possible before. With more datasets in hand, I have become extremely familiar with many of the EM software packages such as FREALIGN, SPIDER, IMAGIC, EMAN2, and XMIPP; these programs have provided the computational tools necessary for the sorting of heterogeneous data in two or three dimensions.

Teaching & mentoring:

"Why not try a scientific approach to science education?" -Carl Wieman, Nobel Prize Physics 1995

Outside of my scientific endeavors in lab, I have become extremely interested in the role that scientists can play in the education of future scientists and the general public. Scientists and educators alike are becoming more aware that the current state of science education in the United States does not reflect the quality of scientific research. While I am just beginning my scientific career, I believe that the future of scientific research will depend upon research scientists taking steps towards the creation of curricula that have the ability to teach ALL students within the classroom.

Publications
'Hormonal Hassle.' Berkeley Science Review Spring 2011 (Link)

Graduate student instructorships:
Fall 2011 - Biophysical Chemistry: John Kuriyan & David Wemmer
Spring 2009 - Advanced Cell & Systems Biology: Iswar Hariharan, Michael Rape, & Karsten Weis

The Eva Nogales Lab, HHMI/University of California at Berkeley © 2012