Research Interests:
My research is focused on membrane-protein interactions. Membrane proteins play an important role in almost all cellular processes, but their complexity often precludes direct study by more traditional structural/biophysical methods. To study these proteins, and their lipid interactions, we use a model membrane system that mimics the fluid environment of the cell. Binding is studied using surface plasmon resonance, which allows use to determine equilibrium dissociation constants and surface coverage. Neutron reflection is then used to probe structure at the membrane interface. The goal is to obtain quantitative information on the binding of proteins to membranes of varying composition, as well as to characterize the molecular-level structure of these proteins on/in their target membrane(s).
Education:
B.A. in Physics, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, 2012
PhD Advisor: Prof. Mathias Lösche
Lab Address:
Wean Hall 6315
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
email: reells[at]andrew.cmu.edu
Publications:
- Leuba, S.H., Carney, S.M., Dahlburg, E.M., Eells, R.J., Ghodke, H., Yanamala, N., Schauer, G., Klein-Seetharaman, J. (2014) Early integration of the individual student in academic activities: a novel classroom concept for graduate education in molecular biophysics and structural biology. BMC Biophysics, 7:6.
- Eells R, Barros M, Scott KM, Karageorgos I, Heinrich F, Losche M. (2017) Structural characterization of membrane-bound human immunodeficiency virus-1 Gag matrix with neutron reflectometry. Biointerphases. 2017 May 16;12(2): 02D408
- Zimmermann K, Eells R, Heinrich F, Rintoul S, Joseyö B, Shekhar P, Lösche M, Stern LJ. The cytosolic domain of T-cell receptor ζ associates with membranes in a dynamic equilibrium and deeply penetrates the bilayer. J Biol Chem. 2017 Oct 27;292(43):17746-17759
