applying high-resolution
solid-state NMR spectroscopy
to elucidate the
structure & dynamics of
complex non-crystalline
biological macromolecules
Structural Biophysics From Solid-State NMR
The Hong group develops and applies solid-state NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules. We investigate a wide range of biological questions, including how ions are conducted across lipid membranes, how viruses and cells fuse their membranes, how proteins misfold into amyloid fibrils in neurodegenerative diseases, and how the glycan-rich cell walls of plants expand. To answer these questions, we develop solid-state NMR techniques that measure internuclear distances, molecular orientation and dynamics. By detecting 1H, 13C, 15N, 19F, 31P and 2H spins at high magnetic fields under fast magic-angle spinning, we reveal biomolecular structure and dynamics with atomic resolution.

Lab News: Tweets by @MeiHongLab
- 19F NMR data shed light on how three phenylalanine residues in the envelope protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus control… https://t.co/wQB7whgjZC 5 months ago
- Summer volleyball at MIT chemistry, here by the team of "magic angels"! https://t.co/TEuA0HxZL4 6 months ago
- Solid-state NMR data reveal that the tau protein associates with microtubules through a pseudorepeat domain R', whi… https://t.co/ak0YmQ6NKw 6 months ago
- Jammy plants! See how impaired methylation of pectins lead to dwarf plants because of significant changes in the ce… https://t.co/cHpA1teuxt 8 months ago
- The small methyl group can do big things! Solid-state NMR reveals how de-methylation of pectins in plant cell walls… https://t.co/l39sxXBngn 8 months ago
- Solid-state NMR data reveal that two versions of the protein tau are fluently mixed in the neurotoxic tangles in th… https://t.co/jiyRWxKzz0 8 months ago
