معرفی
Markos Koutmos, Ph.D. serves as an Assistant Professor of Biophysics & Chemistry at the University of Michigan and is a member of the Center for RNA Biomedicine's Executive Committee, having joined in 2020. He leads the Koutmos Lab which operates at the intersection of chemistry, biophysics, and biology.
Dr. Koutmos's research focuses on understanding how the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of proteins and RNAs drive their biological function. His lab specifically investigates RNA modifications, RNA/protein interactions, mitochondrial RNA biology and processing, and RNA structure and dynamics. He is fascinated by the molecular arrangement of atoms within macromolecules and how their dynamic motions contribute to biological function.
The Koutmos Lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining structural biology methods including X-Ray crystallography, Electron Microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Researchers in his lab develop expertise in producing and purifying RNA and proteins of interest, and in interrogating molecular activity through biochemical and biophysical assays. His work builds foundational knowledge for understanding enzymatic mechanisms, uncovering roles of biomacromolecules in disease, and discovering new therapeutic targets.
Dr. Koutmos encourages curious and passionate students to join his lab, emphasizing that while specific technical skills can be developed over time, the essential prerequisites are genuine curiosity and dedication to scientific inquiry. His lab provides opportunities for students to engage in RNA research through multiple available projects.
Notable aspects of his scientific journey include being inspired by his post-doctoral advisor, Professor Martha Ludwig, which sustained his commitment to scientific research. Dr. Koutmos maintains that science provides the tools to explore the unlimited array of stimuli and inspirations offered by the natural world.
