The Rudenko laboratory uses a variety of techniques to understand the structure and function of proteins. We use structural biology, biochemical and biophysical techniques, as well as chemical genomics to study our molecules of interest. We are fascinated by synapses, the physical connection and communication points between neurons. We are studying proteins involved in synapse formation, maintenance and plasticity.

Shown above: Structure of the extracellular domain of neurexin 1alpha, a synaptic organizer implicated in autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and mental retardation determined to a resolution of 2.65 Å in our laboratory. Putative protein recruitment sites map to loops shown in orange and feature a calcium binding site marked by a central conserved aspartate residue (shown in orange). Alternative splice inserts are incorporated at different places in the ectodomain and regulate protein partner binding (shown as yellow, green and magenta spheres).