Charles G HoogstratenView profile
Associate Professor
Charles G Hoogstraten is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, and serves as Assistant Director for Undergraduate Education. His research focuses on RNA conformational dynamics and molecular function, utilizing advanced biophysical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and molecular dynamics simulations. Ph.D. (1995) - University of Wisconsin-Madison B.S. (1990) - Michigan State University, Chemistry & Biochemistry Previous appointments: UC Davis (1998-2002), University of Colorado, Boulder (1995-98) His work investigates the relationship between RNA structural flexibility and catalytic function, particularly in ribozymes like the hairpin ribozyme. Key contributions include developing novel isotope labeling methods and chemically constrained nucleotides to study RNA backbone dynamics and docking mechanisms. Collaborations with computational biologists enhance atomic-level understanding of these processes. Recent publications highlight his expertise in RNA tertiary structure, metal ion coordination, and spectroscopic analysis. His lab applies techniques such as SPR for docking kinetics, CD difference assays for equilibrium studies, and MD simulations to map RNA energy landscapes. Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowship Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship Hoogstraten teaches advanced biochemistry courses (BMB 461, BMB 829) and leads the Hoogstraten Lab, which bridges experimental biophysics with computational modeling to unravel RNA-catalyzed reactions.









