The Agrawal lab interest lies in studies of structure and function of ribonucleic acid complexes, particularly ribosomes. Ribosomes are the most complex cellular machines that conduct translation of genetic codes embedded in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) into polypeptide chains (proteins) by adding one amino-acid residue at a time in all living organisms, including bacteria and humans. About half of the known antibiotics (drugs) are administered to block the function of ribosomes in both bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens. To understand how the ribosome-targeting drugs function and how to protect human (host) ribosomes from their toxic effects, a deep knowledge of structure and function of translational machinery both in human and pathogens is essential. Our lab studies the mechanism of protein-synthesis in human mitochondria and in pathogenic bacteria, including the bacteria that cause TB and Lyme disease, using high-resolution 3D cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as one of the main tools.  

 

Discoveries through structure determination

Program Updates

Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan

Nobel Laureate Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan Gives Wadsworth Seminar

“Initiation of Translation by the Ribosome”Ribosomes are cellular machines that conduct protein synthesis (or gene translation) in both bacteria and higher organisms such as humans. The mechanism of initiation of translation is among the most fundamental and highly regulated cellular processes.  Dr. Ramakrishnan's presentation focused primarily on how translation works in eukaryotic cells. Dr.
Rajendra K. Agrawal, Ph.D.

Dr. Rajendra Agrawal Presents at the “Mechanisms and Milestones in Translation” Symposium

Dr. Rajendra Agrawal of the Wadsworth Center was invited to speak at the Ehrenberg–Liljas Symposium on Mechanisms and Milestones in Translation, held at Uppsala University, Sweden, on October 27–28, 2025. The meeting honored the pioneering contributions of Professors Måns Ehrenberg and Anders Liljas, both distinguished ribosome biologists and former members of the Nobel Prize Committee. 
Biofilms of Mycobacterium smegmatis cells

Deciphering the sleep/wake cycle of ribosomes in mycobacteria

Infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb),  the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB) in humans, are difficult to eradicate with antibiotics: a 6-month long multidrug regimen is necessary for the treatment of TB.  The drug recalcitrance of TB infections has been associated with a specialized subpopulation of Mtb cells, that do not replicate or are very slow growing and whose metabolism is significantly decreased.
Dr. Frank at his Wadsworth Center Laboratory in Albany

Nobel Prize in Chemistry Goes to Former Wadsworth Scientist

Groundbreaking work performed in Albany leads to revolution in science and medicineDr. Rajendra Agrawal has long expected his former Wadsworth Center colleague Dr. Joachim Frank to win the Nobel Prize. This year, it happened.On October 4th, Dr. Frank was named one of three winners of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Dr. Frank shares the prize with Drs. Richard Henderson of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England and Jacques Dubochet from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Cryo-TEM image of T4 bacteriophage, vitreously frozen and imaged with phase plate

What’s Really COOL at Wadsworth

Pushing the Boundaries of Cryo-Electron MicroscopyWe’ve all left a water bottle in the freezer overnight only to find it bulging the next morning. That’s what water does when it freezes. It expands, right?Not always.Did you know, it is possible to freeze water without it expanding?Water expands when it freezes because ice crystals form. Since ice crystals damage cell structure, two freezing methods that don’t result in crystal formation are used in cryo-electron microscopy:
Rajendra K. Agrawal, Ph.D.

Wadsworth Center Scientist Presents at Ribo25 Symposium

Dr. Rajendra Agrawal of the Wadsworth Center was invited to speak at the Ribo25 Symposium (September 18–19, 2025) at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB), marking 25 years since the atomic structure of a bacterial ribosome subunit was solved – a discovery recognized with the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.  Dr. Agrawal’s presentation, “The mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes: From first glimpses to current insights,” highlighted the Wadsworth Center’s pioneering work in mammalian (human) mitochondrial ribosome research. 
Print