The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Structural Biology is a network of Swiss research groups working in the field of structural biology. Its research encompasses the fields of recombinant protein technologies, macromolecular structure determination and computational biomolecular sciences with a special focus on membrane
proteins and supramolecular assemblies/interactions. 14 research groups from Swiss Universities and Research Institutions participate in this network.
With its overall goal to investigate structure/function relations and interactions of membrane proteins
and supramolecular assemblies, the NCCR Structural Biology addresses fundamental challenges in
structural biology and protein research. The results improve our understanding of molecular recognition processes and signaling pathways. Critical to this research is the access to advanced protein, structure determination and computational technologies that are prominently represented in the NCCR Structural Biology. The strong association with the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich is a guarantee for cutting-edge research. Hence, groundbreaking results were achieved in all research areas since the start of the program in 2001.
A special asset is the establishment of three technology platforms for the production, labeling and
high-throughput crystallization of proteins for structural biology experiments. A number of systems
investigated in the NCCR Structural Biology are of high relevance for future biopharmaceutical applications and offer attractive long-term partnering opportunities to the private industry.
- NCCR Structural Biology is specialized in the investigation of structure/ function relations of membrane proteins and supramolecular assemblies, as well as in technology development
- NCCR Structural Biology currently comprises 14 research groups and almost 150 scientists from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, the University of Basel, and Paul Scherrer Institute
- NCCR Structural Biology offers access to advanced technologies in the area of structural biology, and provides cutting-edge research of structure/function relationships
- NCCR Structural Biology offers attractive partnering opportunities to the private industry
Prof. Markus G. Grütter, NCCR Director
University of Zürich, Department of Biochemistry
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich
Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)44 635 55 80 (direct) / +41 (0)44 635 55 81 (office)
