Dorit Hanein

Professor Hanein’s research focus is the quantitative combination of high-resolution imaging technologies to directly view in three-dimensions and while in their native environment, the molecular architecture, and the dynamic conformational landscape of biological nanomachines. Professor Hanein is a world expert in developing and employing scale integration workflows ranging from tens of microns to sub-nanometers involving a combination of novel sample preparation protocols, correlative light and electron microscopy, cellular cryogenic electron tomography, bioengineering and biophysical tools to allow visualization of macromolecular complexes in vitro, within cells, and in tissues. This workflow is tied to high-resolution, live-cell fluorescence imaging techniques that are used to pinpoint the location of individual protein assemblies. The resulting quantitative integration of scales between macroscopic cellular behavior and high-resolution structural changes carries high impact in both medicine and basic biological research. Professor Hanein is the Director of the cryo-TEM facility at UCSB (SB2EM).