Uncovering the principles of molecular machinery at the atomic level.

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We determine how macromolecular machines work, with special emphasis on machines involved in virus assembly and in DNA replication and repair.

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Understanding how these machines work will not only illuminate the underpinnings of these critically important cellular pathways, but can also lead to new targets for the development of novel cancer therapeutics, antivirals, and antibiotics.  

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The Kelch lab employs a diverse range of molecular techniques, including Cryo-EM, to dissect the structure and function of molecular machines.  

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We are a tight-knit group of scientists who value working hard and playing hard. 

Research Highlights

Differences between bacteria and eukaryotes in clamp loader mechanism, a conserved process underlying DNA replication
Landeck JT, Pajak J, Norman EK, Sedivy EL, Kelch BA.

J Biol Chem. 2024 Apr;300(4):107166. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107166. Epub 2024 Mar 14. PMID: 38490435; PMCID: PMC11044049.

Conformational dynamics control assembly of an extremely long bacteriophage tail tube.
Agnello E, Pajak J, Liu X, Kelch BA.

J Biol Chem. 2023 Mar;299(3):103021. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103021. Epub 2023 Feb 13. PMID: 36791911; PMCID: PMC10034513.

A thermosensitive PCNA allele underlies an ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder
Magrino J, Munford V, Martins DJ, Homma TK, Page B, Gaubitz C, Freire BL, Lerario AM, Vilar JB, Amorin A, Leão EKE, Kok F, Menck CF, Jorge AA, Kelch BA.

J Biol Chem. 2023 May;299(5):104656. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104656. Epub 2023 Mar 27. PMID: 36990216; PMCID: PMC10165274.

Latest News

BMB Blog - Kelch Lab

  • bmb blog resized educational awards 2024.png
    May 10, 2024

    Dr. Brian Kelch Receives the Education Service Award, 2024

    Dr. Brian Kelch received the Education Service Award in 2024! Learn more about his dedication to education in this blog post.

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  • bmb blog resized dna day.png
    Apr 24, 2024

    Celebrating DNA Day!

    Join us in celebrating the foundation of life as we know it by learning about innovative DNA-focused research in our department. Dr. Brian Kelch's lab is working to understand DNA-replication machinery across the tree of life in an effort to identify new candidate antibacterial targets.

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  • bmb blog resized graduation 2023.png
    May 31, 2023

    Graduation 2023!

    Please join us in offering our most sincere congratulations to the BMB Class of 2023! We at the BMB wish you all the luck and happiness in the world as you continue on in your careers and lives.

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  • bmb blog resized faculty awards 2023.png
    May 4, 2023

    2023 Educational Recognition Awards

    The Educational Recognition Awards are an annual tradition at UMass Chan that celebrates “the dedication, passion and creativity of faculty.” Recipients are nominated and chosen by their fellow faculty, and students also help determine the awardees each year. We are honored to have three of the awardees this year be from the BMB department. To celebrate their achievements, we conducted brief interviews of each of our 2023 awardees.

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Latest Kelch Lab news as reported by the UMass Chan Communications Office

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