Dmitry Lyumkis

Dmitry Lyumkis, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, holding the Hearst Foundation Developmental Chair. He leads the Lyumkis Lab within the Laboratory of Genetics, focusing on structural biology using cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study macromolecular assemblies involved in diseases like HIV and cancer. His research emphasizes understanding protein structures to develop therapeutic strategies.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Structural Biology from The Scripps Research Institute

Research Interests: Lyumkis specializes in cryo-EM to visualize molecular machines such as HIV integrase, ribosomes, and CRISPR-Cas enzymes. His work bridges structural insights with functional mechanisms, particularly targeting viral integration processes and drug resistance. Recent studies include the structural basis of HIV integrase inhibitors and the role of nucleosome engagement in protein dynamics.

Publications & Awards: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to structural biology. Notable honors include the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (2015), NSF CAREER Award (2020), and the 2024 ACA Margaret C. Etter Early Career Award. His lab collaborates extensively with institutions such as UC San Diego and The Scripps Research Institute.

Advising & Grants: Lyumkis mentors PhD students and postdocs, fostering interdisciplinary research. His funding includes grants from NIH, NSF, and the Helmsley Foundation. Ongoing projects focus on HIV resistance mechanisms, ribosome assembly, and CRISPR-Cas13d RNA targeting.

Labs & Facilities: The Lyumkis Lab leverages state-of-the-art cryo-EM equipment, including FEI Titan Krios and Thermo Fisher Aquilos systems, integrated with the Salk Institute’s Waitt Biophotonics Facility. Collaborations span structural biology, virology, and computational modeling.