Sunney I. Chan

George Grant Hoag Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, Emeritus. Research characterized by novel application of biophysical approaches to fundamental problems in macromolecular structure and dynamics of membranes, nucleic acids, and membrane proteins, particularly membrane-bound metalloenzymes. Applied nuclear magnetic resonance and other spectroscopic methods to biological systems to investigate the stacking of nucleic acid bases in aqueous solution, the NMR relaxation behavior of lecithin multilayers, the metal center structure and proton-pumping mechanism of cytochrome c oxidase, and the catalytic site and mechanism of methane oxidation by the particulate methane monooxygenase. Recently developed a catalyst capable of efficient conversion of methane into methanol under ambient conditions. Developed methods to monitor the early kinetic events in protein folding and studied the effects of protein mis-folding on neurodegenerative diseases. Mentored and promoted the research efforts of young scientists internationally.