Luke Chao

Luke Chao

Assistant Professor of Genetics
Luke Chao

Our group is interested in understanding the structural and biophysical determinants of membrane morphology. Active areas of interest include: mitochondrial dynamics (and cristae morphology), bacterial ultrastructure, and plasma membrane projections. We apply an integrative approach (including cryo-EM, cryo-ET and in vitro reconstitution) to capture protein/membrane assemblies in action.

We're fascinated by the dialogue between macromolecular machines and their environment. Proteins shape membranes by converting energy into motion. In turn, proteins respond to signals from their local membrane environment. Questions that excite us include:

How membrane lipid composition and distribution influences protein conformational change and subcellular dynamics?

How physical forces influence structural change across multiple membranes?

How evolution shapes the regulation of membrane assemblies?

Cellular environments are an exciting frontier to understand molecular and cellular shape change. We are interested in understanding these relationships under different physiological states, in specific tissue environments, and in disease.

Contact Information

Massachusetts General Hospital
Simches Building, CPZN 6808
185 Cambridge St.
Boston, MA 02114
p: 617-724-2323

Community or Program Affiliation

People