Garry W. Buchko

Garry W. Buchko is a physical biochemist and senior scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with a joint appointment as Associate Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University (WSU). He serves as the PNNL-WSU liaison for the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), a consortium funded by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Buchko has dedicated his career to structural biology, particularly using NMR spectroscopy to investigate protein structures related to infectious diseases and dental biomineralization.

Dr. Buchko earned his BS in Biochemistry from the University of Manitoba, followed by an MS in Chemistry from McMaster University under the supervision of Drs. Russel Bell and Tom Nelson. He completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Manitoba with Dr. Frank Hruska, a pioneer in using NMR spectroscopy to study nucleic acid sugar conformations. His postdoctoral training included work with radiation biologists Drs. Jean Cadet in France and Michael Weinfeld in Canada, followed by NMR spectroscopy training with Dr. Bob Cushley in Canada.

Buchko's research focuses on two primary areas: advancing infectious disease research through structural genomics and understanding the molecular mechanisms of dental enamel formation. His work with SSGCID has resulted in the deposition of over 1,600 protein structures in the Protein Data Bank since 2007, with targets from NIAID Category A-C pathogens. His second major research area investigates amelogenin's role in tooth enamel biomineralization, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. He employs diverse techniques including NMR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to characterize amelogenin structure.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on protein structure-function relationships, with particular attention to biomineralization processes and infectious disease targets. His work spans multiple techniques including NMR, SAXS, SANS, and cryo-EM, demonstrating methodological versatility. The publications show strong collaboration across institutions and disciplines, with consistent contributions to understanding protein interactions in both medical and environmental contexts.

His scientific achievements have been recognized with multiple awards including three PNNL Outstanding Performance Awards (2008, 2010, 2015) and several prestigious fellowships and travel awards throughout his career. His early career was supported by the France-Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship, Alberta Cancer Board Research Fellowship, and BC and Yukon Heart and Stroke Research Fellowship.

As part of the SSGCID team, Buchko collaborates with researchers at the Seattle Children's Research Institute, the University of Kansas, and the University of Washington to apply structural genomics technologies to infectious disease research. His work on amelogenin involves a multidisciplinary team at PNNL using diverse techniques to understand enamel formation at the molecular level. His laboratory maintains strong connections with both academic and government research institutions, facilitating the translation of basic research into potential applications for infectious disease treatment and dental health.