Gary Pielak
Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Jointly appointed with the School of Medicine
Genome Sciences Building 3250919-962-4495
gary_pielak@unc.edu
Group Website
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests
Protein Biophysics Emphasizing Studies in Living Cells
Research Synopsis
My graduate students and I work in two areas: High-resolution protein NMR studies in living cells. Biophysics of tardigrade dessication-tolerance proteins.
Professional Background
BS Chem., Bradley U, 1977; PhD Biochemistry, with J. Ivan Legg, Washington State U, 1983; Postdoc with Michael Smith, U British Columbia, 1983-1986; Postdoc with Robert JP Williams, Oxford. 1986-1988; DuPont Young Faculty Award; Morrow Young Faculty Award; NIH Pioneer Award; National Science Foundation Program Director; UNC Lifetime Mentor Award; UNC Medical School Excellence in Basic Science Mentoring Award
Research Group
News & Publications
UNC-Chapel Hill Chemistry major Tarynn Neal designed her own research experience — and discovered an energy-efficient solution to an industrial-scale problem.
Amorphous glassy media composed of small molecular solutes or protein gels present general strategies for protecting against drying. We review these strategies and the proposed molecular mechanisms to explain protein protection in a vitreous matrix under conditions of low hydration.