José Luis Rodríguez Arrondo

The Spanish Biophysical Society (SBE) awarded the VII Bruker Prize to José Luis Rodríguez Arrondo, Professor at the Biophysics Unit, a joint CSIC-UPV/EHU research centre, and at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. This award acknowledges the dedication of scientists working in Spain, and the seventh edition has focused on recent contributions in the fields of Structural or Functional Biophysics.

The Committee in charge of candidate evaluation and awarding the prize highlighted the enormous research contributions provided by Jose Luis Rodríguez Arrondo. The jury especially appreciated his contributions to the development of infrared spectroscopy for the study of protein structure and dynamics, a highly relevant issue with an international scope, concerning three major aspects: the development of software tools and data-collection protocols at the methodological level, studies dealing with isolated biomolecules, and research on macromolecular complex structures such as human membranes or lipoproteins.

"It is particularly satisfactory to get the recognition for the research work undertaken at your lab other than that coming from the visits or stages in cutting-edge laboratories", stated Professor Arrondo.

Concerning his latest research, Professor Arrondo, vice-director of the Biophysics Unit, has started cell studies using infrared microspectroscopy and is dealing with the development of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. Such an approach, introduced in the 80's, enables a better understanding of protein changes. So far, his research has yielded 105 publications and 11 PhD theses.