Dorit Hanein

Professor Hanein's research is at the interfaces between structural biology, cell biology, systems biology, and engineering science.  She is leading efforts in combining light microscopy with cellular tomography to permit the placement of dynamics multimolecular protein complexes into their functional context in mammalian cells.  Through these efforts, she made seminal contributions to our knowledge of the structure, assembly and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and its associated macromolecular assemblies, to the development of  techniques and protocols for correlative light and in-situ cellular tomography of protein structures in intact hydrated mammalian cells at cryogenic temperatures, and to the evolution of quantitative  cryogenic electron  microscopy.  This workflow is tied to high-resolution, live-cell fluorescence imaging techniques that are used to pinpoint the location of single proteins. With the advent of the new generation of electron cryo-microscopy equipment, including direct detection technology, phase plate devices, and automation capabilities, these efforts place Professor Hanein's research at the forefront of exciting new developments at the interface between electron microscopy, cell biology, and systems biology. The resulting quantitative integration of scales between macroscopic cellular behavior and high-resolution structural changes carries high impact in both medicinal and basic biological research.

Sanford Burnham Prebys, cryo-EM Facility (La Jolla CA): Professor Hanein built the facility at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) in 1999 and supervised its operation until 2020. She commissioned three high-end cryo-TEMs. A Tecnai Spirit T12, a Tecnai F20 with PostGIF Biofilter, and a Titan Krios with Falcon C3E direct detector and phase plate. She also commissioned all dedicated hardware and sample preparation resources, including cryo-CLEM and high-pressure freezer instruments in preparation for acquiring an Aquilos cryo-FIB. In 2018, Professor Hanein was selected to be highlighted by the Office of Research Infrastructure of NIH.

Institut Pasteur Nanoimaging Core Facility (Paris, France): Professor Hanein designed and built the entire setup of the Nanoimaging facility at Institut Pasteur. This includes the design of the building which houses the facility, the purchase and commissioning of four high-end instruments (Titan Krios G3, two Glacios and one Aquilos cryo-FIB ). In parallel, she set up a complete workflow for interfacing the facility with cell biology such as novel cryo-CLEM setups including micro-patterning approaches and methodologies to push the technology beyond cell culture towards handling organoids and tissues.