Carolyn A. Larabell
Senior Advisor to the MBIB Division Director
Biologist Faculty Scientist
Building: 6, Room 2138
Phone: (510) 486-5890
Fax: 510-486-5664
CALarabell@lbl.gov
http://ncxt.lbl.gov/
Research Interests
Carolyn Larabell is the Director of the National Center for X-ray Tomography, which develops novel imaging technologies for biological and biomedical research. In particular, NCXT staff and collaborators are spearheading the development of soft x-ray tomography as a new tool for visualizing cells. A major part of this development has been the design, construction and now operation of XM-2, the world’s first soft x-ray microscope for life science research. Located at the Advanced Light Source of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the microscope is fully operational and in high demand.
NCXT staff are also developing new light-based methods for imaging cells, for example high-numerical aperture cryo-light microscopy. This new modality allows cryopreserved cells to be sequentially imaged with light (fluorescence) and then x-rays. The latter visualizes the detailed, 3-dimensional sub-cellular architecture, whereas light-based imaging provides information on the positions of fluorescent-tagged molecules within the cell. These two pieces of data can be overlaid to form a single, information rich 3D image of a cell. This technique is now producing powerful insights into cell structure and the local environment of the fluorescent-labeled molecule. This information can be integrated with molecular biology, genetics and computer modeling to greatly increase our understanding of cell biology.
Recent Publications
Related News
Larabell Shares AAAS Outstanding Paper Prize
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) presented the Newcomb Cleveland prize to an international team of researchers, including senior faculty scientist Carolyn Larabell. They were recognized for their Science journal article describing the discovery of a novel organelle, the nitroplast, in single-celled algae.
Scientists Discover Nitrogen-fixing Organelle
After years of work, an international team found evidence that a once-independent nitrogen-fixing microbe has become a permanent resident within algae cells.
A New Pathway for Clearing Misfolded Proteins
Stanford researchers have used cryogenic 3D imaging at the National Center for X-ray Tomography (NCXT) to identify a new pathway for clearing misfolded proteins from cells. This work presents a potential therapy target for age-related disorders like Alzheimer, Parkinson, and Huntington Diseases.
