Structural Biology & Biophysics

The Structural Biology and Biophysics division brings together three laboratories dedicated to uncovering the architecture, dynamics, and mechanisms of biological macromolecules. The Crystallography Laboratory, led by Frédéric Kerff, determines high-resolution structures of soluble and membrane proteins to reveal the molecular basis of their function. The Laboratory of Enzymology and Protein Folding, led by André Matagne, investigates how proteins fold, misfold, and can be engineered for improved stability and function. The Laboratory of RNA Structural Biology and Biochemistry, led by Arnaud Vanden Broeck, uses cryo-electron microscopy to study large nucleoprotein complexes, with a focus on divergent and evolutionarily distant organisms. 

The group provides advanced expertise, instrumentation, and collaborative opportunities for the Centre for Protein Engineering (CIP), research teams at ULiège, and the broader national and international scientific community. Its resources include state-of-the-art structural biology techniques (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and biophysical analyses), guidance in experimental design, and the translation of molecular insights into biotechnology and medicine.