The Institute of Nanoscopy is a
research institute
A research institute, research centre, research center or research organization, is an establishment founded for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research. Although the term often i ...
of
Maastricht University established in 2014 that investigates
cell structures at a
macromolecular level. The institute was founded by
Peter J. Peters
Peter J. Peters (born 22 August 1957) is a professor of nanobiology and a distinguished university professor at Maastricht University. Peters is best known for his work in Electron microscope, electron microscopy (EM) and cellular immunology. He is ...
, distinguished professor of
nanobiology at Maastricht University, who is also the institute's current director.
To understand the working mechanisms of
protein complexes within cells, three-dimensional imaging of normal and disease-causing protein complexes is essential. The Institute also develops methods to capture the cell in close to native state and image whole cells and tissue slices down to 1 nanometer
resolution
Resolution(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
* Resolution (debate), the statement which is debated in policy debate
* Resolution (law), a written motion adopted by a deliberative body
* New Year's resolution, a commitment that an individual mak ...
. This way maps of individual macromolecular complexes can be created by visualizing
nanomachines
A molecular machine, nanite, or nanomachine is a molecular component that produces quasi-mechanical movements (output) in response to specific stimuli (input). In cellular biology, macromolecular machines frequently perform tasks essential for l ...
in a close-to-physiological, cellular context.
The institute's key objective is to gain greater insight into the 3D form of cell
proteins, thus paving the way for the development of more effective treatments for diseases such as
cancer and
tuberculosis. A better understanding of how protein complexes manage healthy, but also diseased, cells will allow drugs and vaccines to target problems more effectively. These developments will lead to scientific breakthroughs in the field of tuberculosis and cancer.
References
Research institutes established in 2014
Research institutes in the Netherlands
Maastricht University
2014 establishments in the Netherlands
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