Biophysical chemist Rafael Bruschweiler is the recipient of two recent grants totaling more than $1.66 million for research into the dynamics of proteins. A grant of $1,055,476 comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), while a grant of $608,728 comes from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Bruschweiler uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology and sophisticated computational tools in his research on proteins at the atomic level. “Proteins are highly complex molecules that perform a wide range of biological functions in every organism,” Bruschweiler said. “It is a dynamic protein world out there, and we’re seeking to answer some fundamental questions. How do proteins precisely behave and perform their function at an atomic level? We know that these molecular machines behave in an orchestrated manner, but how exactly? Using NMR, we can observe proteins under conditions that are similar to the ones encountered in a living cell. This gives us a very good sense of how and why they do what they do.” Bruschweiler is the George Matthew Edgar Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at FSU and associate director for biophysics at National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. To read more, go to http://www.fsu.edu/news/2009/11/18/proteins.grant/