Biophysics

The Crick Molecular Biophysics & Structural Dynamics Center

Functions as the high-resolution physical mapping and macromolecular mechanics hub at Analex Laboratories. Named in honor of Francis Crick — the Nobel Prize-winning biophysicist who played a crucial role in deciphering the helical structure of the DNA molecule — the facility integrates advanced optical tweezers with single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to decode the physical forces, folding pathways, and mechanical behaviors driving biological macromolecules.

Core Capabilities & Equipment

• High-Precision Optical Tweezers & Force Spectroscopy Suite: Focused laser traps measure piconewton-level mechanical forces and nanometer-scale displacements to unravel individual nucleic acid strands, protein folding dynamics, and molecular motor steps in real time.
• Single-Molecule Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Array: Evanescent wave microscopy systems visualize real-time biochemical reactions, protein-DNA interactions, and conformational changes on fluorescently labeled biomolecules.
• Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) Station: High-resolution mass spectrometers track solvent accessibility and structural flexibility across complex protein assemblies by measuring localized hydrogen-deuterium exchange rates.
• Microfluidic Stopped-Flow & Kinetic Analysis Workstation: Rapid mixing systems capture millisecond-scale kinetic intermediates, enzyme binding events, and conformational transitions during complex biochemical reactions.

At Analex Laboratories, research and discovery in biophysics are driven by a unified mission: bridging the gap between fundamental physical laws and complex biological functions. By viewing living organisms through the lens of force, energy, and structural dynamics, researchers at Analex study the mechanics of life across multiple scales. This integrated approach allows scientists to decode the physical principles that govern everything from single-molecule interactions to tissue-level biomechanics, establishing a foundational framework for breakthroughs in biomedicine and bioengineering.

A major focus of discovery at Analex Laboratories centers on macromolecular dynamics and structural biology. Utilizing advanced cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), ultra-high-resolution single-molecule spectroscopy, and custom computational modeling, Analex scientists map the real-time conformational changes of proteins, nucleic acids, and molecular machines. Unraveling how biological molecules fold, misfold, and interact under mechanical stress provides critical insights into the physical triggers of genetic, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Beyond static structural mapping, Analex Laboratories leads the exploration of cellular mechanics and membrane transport dynamics. Researchers investigate how physical forces—such as fluid shear stress, osmotic pressure, and electrical gradients—shape cellular behavior, signal transduction, and ion channel gating. By quantifying these nanomechanical interactions, the consortium continues to uncover how living cells sense and adapt to their physical microenvironments, shedding light on essential physiological processes like cardiac contraction, vascular flow, and neural propagation.

These basic discoveries directly power applied innovation across Analex’s drug discovery and therapeutic pipelines. By applying biophysical principles like thermodynamics, binding kinetics, and ternary complex kinetics, researchers accelerate the development of targeted therapies, molecular glues, and lipid-nanoparticle delivery systems. Furthermore, Analex leverages these physical insights to drive next-generation diagnostic technologies, pushing the boundaries of biomimetic materials, biosensors, and non-invasive medical imaging. Through this continuum of basic research and applied innovation, Analex Laboratories continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in modern biophysics.