Structure & Function of Microbial Proteins
Spread of Antibiotic Resistance
Bacteria gain antibiotic resistance commonly through conjugative plasmid transfer (CPT). What is the molecular basis of this process?
Gut Microbe Bacteriodes ovatus
The gut microbe Bacteroides ovatus is elevated in people with autoimmune diseases. Which of its proteins may play an important role in the disease state?
Uncharacterized Pathogen Proteomes
Emerging bacterial pathogens are of concern for new outbreaks. Characterizing their proteomes may allow us to understand and target them more effectively.
McLaughlin Lab Group Login
Lab members login here to access restricted site content.
URSI Team! (Summer 2023)
Lab Members
Jordan Norman
Maedot Abate
Dr. Krystle J. McLaughlin
Note: The lab is full for the 2023-2024 academic year.We will be recruiting new students in Spring ’24! 
LAB HAPPENINGS
Highlights
news from the lab
Dr. McLaughlin Gives Invited Talk at MIT Chemistry
Dr. McLaughlin had a phenomenal time visiting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chemistry department as the seminar speaker on October 16th, 2023! It was also so wonderful to have Naike Ye (Vassar College alum ‘21 & her former advisee!) as a guide for the day and to hear about all he has accomplished already for his PhD research Read more about Dr. McLaughlin Gives Invited Talk at MIT Chemistry[…]
Protein Crystallography CURE, Publication, Highlighted in Acta Crys F Editorial & Cover!
Very proud of this work we just published in Acta Crystallographia F! The research was done by undergrad students in Dr. McLaughlin’s protein crystallography class in Spring ’23, which is run as a CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience). Students analyzed an unpublished crystal structure from the @SSGCID, then designed/ran experiments to test function. The first three authors Read more about Protein Crystallography CURE, Publication, Highlighted in Acta Crys F Editorial & Cover![…]
Congrats to Jordan Norman ’24, member of Vassar Women’s Cross Country who won their First Ever Liberty League Championship!
https://www.vassarathletics.com/news/2023/10/28/mens-cross-country-womens-cross-country-victorious-at-liberty-league-championship.aspx
Cryo-EM Training at Brookhaven National Lab
The McLaughlin Lab is starting to learn a new structural biology method- cryo-EM! Dr. McLaughlin recently attended an in-person sample preparation workshop at the new Laboratory for BioMolecular Structure at Brookhaven National Lab (LBMS BNL). The workshop gave hand-on training to each of the 12 participants. Vassar ACCAS funds generously supported Dr. McLaughlin’s attendance. Dr. Read more about Cryo-EM Training at Brookhaven National Lab[…]
Vassar STEM Connection Panel
For Black History Month, Dr. McLaughlin was one of three faculty engaged in the sciences who shared their academic journeys to STEM and their current work with students during a panel hosted by the African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC), the Jeh Vincent Johnson ALANA Cultural Center, and the Office of Advancement. Read more Read more about Vassar STEM Connection Panel[…]
November 2022: Invited Seminar at Fordham University
Dr. McLaughlin visited the Fordham University Chemistry department on the beautiful Rose Hill campus to give a seminar about the lab’s research in antibiotic resistance.
May 2022: Dr. McLaughlin Becomes USNC/Cr DEI Chair
In May 2022, for the first time the US National Committee for Crystallography (USNC/Cr) created a subcommittee dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Dr. McLaughlin was appointed as chair. The USNC/Cr subcommittee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focuses on current issues related to cultivating a crystallographic-research community that is diverse and inclusive of Read more about May 2022: Dr. McLaughlin Becomes USNC/Cr DEI Chair[…]
Lilith wins Regional ACS Section Award!
Congrats to Lilith on her College Recognition Award from the Mid-Hudson ACS Chapter! One outstanding student from each of the colleges in the Mid-Hudson Section is nominated by their department’s faculty for the award. “The 2022 College Recognition Awards were presented during the Undergraduate Research Symposium held on Friday, April 29th at Mount Saint Mary College. Read more about Lilith wins Regional ACS Section Award![…]
Kate and Vanessa present at ASBMB conference
Kate and Vanessa travelled to the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) annual meeting in Philadelphia PA to present their research in April! They went with one other Vassar student, accompanied by Prof. Colin Aitken. Proud of my @Vassar students Kate and Vanessa who presented their research today at @ASBMB! #undergraduate #research #biochemistry Read more about Kate and Vanessa present at ASBMB conference[…]
ASBMB Today Feature: Lonely Science
Lonely science, ASBMB Today article (direct link): https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/opinions/031722/lonely-science "Women & early-career scientists in academia were among those hardest hit by COVID-19 disruptions. Those who took on childcare, homeschooling or elder care found their lives & work completely upended." Read my story & others in @ASBMB Today: #WomenInSTEMhttps://t.co/H52Tix60si — Dr. Krystle J McLaughlin (@biophyskrys) March 21, 2022 Read more about ASBMB Today Feature: Lonely Science[…]