Carlos Bustamante
Encyclopedia
Carlos José Bustamante is an American
scientist
. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences
.
of molecular
and cell biology, physics
, and chemistry
at the University of California, Berkeley
, a position he has held since 1998. He received his B.S. degree from Cayetano Heredia University
in Lima, his masters in biochemistry
from National University of San Marcos
in Lima, and his Ph.D. degree in biophysics
from UC Berkeley, where he studied with Ignacio Tinoco, Jr.
As a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
, Bustamante studied with Marcos Maestre. Before moving to Berkeley, he was an HHMI investigator at the University of Oregon
.
visualization
, such as scanning force microscopy, to study the structure and function of nucleoprotein
assemblies. His laboratory is developing methods of single-molecule manipulation, such as optical tweezers
, to characterize the elasticity of DNA
, to induce the mechanical unfolding of individual protein
molecules, and to investigate the machine-like behavior of molecular motors.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
.
Biography
Bustamante is an HHMI investigator and professorProfessor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of molecular
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
and cell biology, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, and chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, a position he has held since 1998. He received his B.S. degree from Cayetano Heredia University
Cayetano Heredia University
Cayetano Heredia University or simply Cayetano Heredia) is a private university located in Lima, Peru. It was named in honor of Cayetano Heredia, one of the eminent Peruvian physicians of the 19th century. The university is overseen by a Board of Trustees and is not actually property of any...
in Lima, his masters in biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
from National University of San Marcos
National University of San Marcos
The National University of San Marcos is the most important and respected higher-education institution in Peru. Its main campus, the University City, is located in Lima...
in Lima, and his Ph.D. degree in biophysics
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. Studies included under the branches of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems...
from UC Berkeley, where he studied with Ignacio Tinoco, Jr.
Ignacio Tinoco, Jr.
Ignacio Tinoco, Jr. is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, a position he has held since 1956 .Ignacio Tinoco received a Bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 1951, and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1954. He...
As a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory conducting unclassified scientific research. It is located on the grounds of the University of California, Berkeley, in the Berkeley Hills above the central campus...
, Bustamante studied with Marcos Maestre. Before moving to Berkeley, he was an HHMI investigator at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
.
Research focus
Carlos Bustamante uses novel methods of single-moleculeSingle-molecule
A single-molecule experiment investigates the properties of an individual molecule that can be distinguished for the purpose of an experiment or analysis. Single-molecule studies may be contrasted with measurements on an ensemble or bulk collection of molecules, where the individual behavior can...
visualization
Chemical imaging
Chemical imaging is the analytical capability to create a visual image of components distribution from simultaneous measurement of spectra and spatial, time informations....
, such as scanning force microscopy, to study the structure and function of nucleoprotein
Nucleoprotein
A nucleoprotein is any protein that is structurally associated with nucleic acid .Many viruses harness this protein, and they are known for being host-specific...
assemblies. His laboratory is developing methods of single-molecule manipulation, such as optical tweezers
Optical tweezers
Optical tweezers are scientific instruments that use a highly focused laser beam to provide an attractive or repulsive force , depending on the refractive index mismatch to physically hold and move microscopic dielectric objects...
, to characterize the elasticity of DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
, to induce the mechanical unfolding of individual protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
molecules, and to investigate the machine-like behavior of molecular motors.
Positions
- Research Assistant, UC BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
(1976–1981) - Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, UC BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
(1981–1982) - Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
(1982–1986) - Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
(1986–1989) - Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
(1989–1990) - Professor of Chemistry and Member of the Institute of Molecular Biology, University of OregonUniversity of Oregon-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
(1991–1998) - Professor in Molecular and Cell Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, UC BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
(1998–present)
Fellowships and Awards
- Kellogg Foundation scholarship during the Master in Biochemistry (1973–1975)
- Fullbright Commission and Institute of International EducationInstitute of International EducationInstitute of International Education - is a non-profit organization promoting international exchange of education and training. It was established in 1919 and is based in the USA....
Fellow (1975–1976) - Abraham Rosenberg scholarship, UC Berkeley (1975–1976)
- Searle Scholar (1984)
- Alfred P. Sloan FoundationAlfred P. Sloan FoundationThe Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization in the United States. It was established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., then-President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.-Overview:...
Fellow (1985) - Presidential Lecturer in Chemistry, University of New Mexico (1986)
- State of New Mexico Eminent Scholar (1989)
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteHoward Hughes Medical InstituteHoward Hughes Medical Institute is a United States non-profit medical research organization based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It was founded by the American businessman Howard Hughes in 1953. It is one of the largest private funding organizations for biological and medical research in the United...
Investigator (1994–1998, 2000–present) - Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (1995)
- Member of the Science Advisory Board of the Searle Scholars Program (1997–2000)
- Member of the Board of Trustees at the IMDEA Nanoscience Institute
- Max Dulbruck Prize in Biological Physics (2002)
- Alexander Hollaender Award in BiophysicsAlexander Hollaender Award in BiophysicsThe Alexander Hollaender Award in Biophysics is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for outstanding contributions in biophysics." Named in honor of Alexander Hollaender, it has been awarded every three years since 1998....
(2004)
External links
- Bustamante won the Southern Peru 2004 Award
- The Bustamante Lab Home Page at University of California, Berkeley
- Carlos Bustamantes's Department of Chemistry Faculty Home Page, University of California at Berkeley
- Carlos Bustamante at Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- Protein Wizard: America's Best Science & Medicine CNN/Time
- San Marcos University
- Cayetano Heredia University