Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Mei Hong. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.
Professor Mei Hong's research group at MIT specializes in high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules, with a particular focus on membrane proteins. The laboratory advances multidimensional, multinuclear solid-state NMR techniques to study important biomolecules for human health and energy science. Current interests include understanding the structure and dynamics of viral and bacterial membrane proteins, amyloid proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases, and plant cell wall mechanics. Notably, her work on membrane-bound ion channels and co-transporters aims to clarify the mechanisms of membrane transport and aid in the development of antiviral drugs. Additionally, Hong investigates tau protein aggregation, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing how post-translational modifications impact tau fibril dynamics and the interaction of tau with lipid membranes. The group uses a combination of solid-state NMR and molecular dynamics simulations to explore hydration dynamics and lipid interactions, working collaboratively with medicinal chemists and electrophysiologists. Professor Hong's pioneering efforts have reshaped understanding of plant cell walls, revealing new insights into their structural and dynamic properties through advanced NMR techniques.