Research interests

Structure of macromolecules determines function. The Chang lab in the University of Pennsylvania is deeply interested in understanding the basis of biology from a structural perspective. Distinct from many other structural biology groups working with purified macromolecules, the Chang lab utilizes cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), a powerful cryo-electron microscopy imaging technique, to study the structure and mechanism of macromolecular machines directly inside cells. In the cellular context, cryo-ET reveals not only native conformations and assemblies of the macromolecular machines as they are conducting functions, but also their distribution, orientation and interaction with other cellular components – thus providing a unique opportunity to uncover structural mechanisms of complex cellular activities such as host-pathogen interactions.