- Speaker
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Alex de Marco, Ph.D.Director, Simons Electron Microscopy Center (SEMC), New York Structural Biology Center
The 2026 lecture series in biology is “Folding the Future: The Structural Biology Revolution.” In this series, scientists will explore the rapid advances transforming how we visualize and engineer the molecular machinery of life. From breakthroughs in protein structure prediction to innovations in integrative structural biology, speakers will examine how these computational and experimental tools are reshaping drug discovery, synthetic biology, and our broader understanding of cellular function.
2026 Lecture Series Themes
Biology – Folding the Future: The Structural Biology Revolution
Mathematics and Computer Science – Randomness
Neuroscience and Autism Science – Brain and Body: Communication and Connection
Presidential Lectures are a series of free public colloquia spotlighting groundbreaking research across four themes: neuroscience and autism science, physics, biology, and mathematics and computer science. These curated, high-level scientific talks feature leading scientists and mathematicians and are designed to foster discussion and drive discovery within the New York City research community. We invite those interested in these topics to join us for this weekly lecture series.
Structural cell biology — also known as cryo-electron tomography, in situ cryo-EM and visual proteomics — has emerged as one of the most transformative approaches in modern biology. By imaging molecular machines directly within cells, the method offers something no other method can: structure in context. But what does context actually change?
In this Presidential Lecture, Alex de Marco will explore how technological advances in cryo-EM are expanding the reach of in situ structural biology, and why the resulting biological discoveries consistently challenge conclusions drawn from purified systems. Drawing on recent work conducted at the New York Structural Biology Center spanning chromatin organization, cytoskeletal self-assembly and membrane trafficking, he will argue that the most consequential variable in modern structural cell biology is not resolution but relevance. The structure of a molecule tells us what is possible. Its cellular context tells us what actually happens.
About the Speaker
De Marco is the director of the Simons Electron Microscopy Center (SEMC) at the New York Structural Biology Center, leading the world’s largest cryo-EM facility with 15 transmission electron microscopes, three cryo-FIB/SEM systems and 46 staff serving nearly 1,000 active users. His research focuses on method development for cryo-electron tomography, correlative microscopy and sample preparation, with contributions including the PIE-scope, OpenFIBSEM, Square Electron Beam illumination, and nanocrate technology to overcome air-water interface artifacts. His work has appeared in Nature, Science and Cell. He holds adjunct appointments at Columbia University and Monash University. He also directs the NIH National Center for CryoEM Access and Training and the NIH National Center for In-Situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy.