In her continuing search for clues to understanding structural biology underlying disease, University of Delaware chemist Tatyana Polenova analyzes, atom by atom, the structure of viruses and biological assemblies.

In order to see and examine those systems, she makes use of UD’s Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Laboratory. The two-story space in Brown Lab houses an array of large instruments that offer scientists an atomic-level view of the structures, dynamics and functions of complex molecular assemblies.

A biophysical chemist and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Polenova has led research teams in making important breakthroughs in a number of areas. These include new discoveries about the structure of the HIV virus and about proteins binding with microtubules, the latticework of tiny tubes in human cells whose malfunction can lead to serious diseases.

Her research relies on NMR spectroscopy, which is a powerful and versatile tool that uses the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei to analyze the structure of a wide variety of materials. It enables scientists to identify every atom in a structure and to see how each atom moves.

It’s a technique that is essential, Polenova says, not only for her own lab but for many scientists who are seeking to understand large biological systems.

“NMR spectroscopy has found applications in chemistry, biochemistry, physics and medicine,” she said. “It’s often used with the discovery of new substances, to get an atomic-level ‘fingerprint’ of the material, and pharmaceutical companies use it to analyze how compounds can be formulated.”

Now, her work in the field of physical biochemistry has been recognized by the International Society of Magnetic Resonance, which has named her one of four new Fellows of the organization.

Her election by the society’s other Fellows is “a tribute to your many contributions in the field of magnetic resonance, including both your world-leading research activities and your support of the magnetic resonance community,” the organization’s president, Robert Tycko, wrote in notifying Polenova of the honor.

The society elects a maximum of four new Fellows a year to join “a very distinguished international group of outstanding scientists, spanning several generations and encompassing many areas of research,” Tycko wrote.