Lecture to unlock secrets of proteins at Emera Astronomy Center
Exploring the mystery of protein structures using state-of-the-art technology will be the focus of an illustrated lecture Oct. 6 at the University of Maine Emera Astronomy Center.
Caitlin Howell, an assistant professor of bioengineering at UMaine, will present, “Unlocking the Secrets of Proteins: The Rise of Cryo Electron Microscopy,” at 7 p.m. in the Jordan Planetarium at the astronomy center. Tickets for the public lecture, featuring full-dome visuals and real-time models, are $6 for adults; $5 for UMaine students, veterans and senior citizens; $4 for children younger than 12, and are available online or by calling 581.1341.
Understanding how proteins are shaped and how they work can be one of the most elusive questions in molecular biology, and cryo-electron microscopy is helping unlock their secrets.
In her research at UMaine, Howell works to understand and ultimately control biological systems through the engineering and design of material interfaces.
The event is part of the Science Lecture Series at Emera Astronomy Center, offered in partnership with the Maine Science Festival. The lectures on the first Thursday of every month highlight research from a variety of science disciplines, using the digital planetarium to visualize discoveries in a dramatic, immersive presentation.