Public Lecture | Caught on Camera: The Secret Lives of Life's Molecules

For decades, scientists have been working to understand the building blocks of life by studying the structures of proteins and other large biological molecules. Using clever tricks with microscopes, electrons, and X-rays, it is possible to see the precise arrangements of atoms in these complex molecules. This sharp view of biological structure is especially important for understanding the mechanisms of disease and designing drugs that specifically target the action of proteins in viruses and bacteria. With conventional methods, though, we can take these pictures only when the molecules are artificially held still, for example by immobilizing them in crystals at temperatures far below freezing. Now, the LCLS X-ray laser at SLAC can deliver a beam so intense that it can take high-resolution pictures of biological molecules under natural, room-temperature conditions, even as they carry out their destructive biochemistry. Often, the new pictures differ in significant ways from those of frozen structures. This lecture describes how this new imaging method gives us a real-time view of the molecules' action and opens new opportunities for discovering drugs and understanding our body's basic chemical processes.

About the Speaker:

Raymond G. Sierra was born and raised in South Florida by Cuban immigrant parents ­– a truck-driving father and a mother and stepfather working at the U.S. Postal Service. In 2007, he graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and a minor in biomechanics. With girlfriend and truck in tow, he drove cross-country to Stanford University. He finished his master's degree in mechanical engineering in 2009 and then took a leave of absence for a year to do research at the Stanford PULSE Institute at SLAC. He recently received his PhD in mechanical engineering from Stanford University by developing a method to deliver tiny biological samples in a very precise way for analysis at SLAC's X-ray free electron laser, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Sierra is now a research associate in the Hard X-Ray Department at LCLS. He continues to develop advanced mechanical techniques that enable studies of biological structure.

[mrphyzyxclassroom]

Great talk!!! Sad that the auditorium isn't filled??? Sad.

[firberger]

I recommend SLAC lectures to anyone that wants to learn about the cutting edge of science. I assure those whom I recommend these lectures to that the quality of knowledge gained cannot be found on Discovery Science and the like, and that the time they spend viewing these lectures is always worthwhile.Every SLAC public lecture and Science of SLAC lecture I've seen has been enjoyable and more importantly enriched me with new and fascinating knowledge, and I've tried to view every lecture that's been made available. Furthermore I'm a fan of levity and humor when applied tastefully. Having said that is disheartens me to have to report anything that could be construed as negative about these wonderful lectures, but honest must always prevail. This lecture is PAINFUL to watch because Mr. Sierra spends more time delivering witticisms that one would only expect from a juvenile than informing the viewers of the subject matter being featured. It's distracting, annoying, a waste of the viewers time, and HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL! Never have I witnessed such shameless childish antics in front of a live microphone that was not stand-up comedy routine. I believe he probably means well and possibly does this because of nervousness, but the endless jokes shamelessly and selfishly delivered RUINS the lecture. The behavior is NOT cute as it no doubt may have intended to be.To SLAC and Mr. Sierra, please never let someone make a mockery of one of these fine lectures again.And thank you for every lecture made available online with exception to this lecture delivered by Mr. Sierra.

[glutinousmaximus]

'Lunchology' - already I'm switched off and bored.

Tootles