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Stephen Harrison investigates the atomic structures of macromolecular assemblies. Specifically, Harrison and his team study viruses to probe molecular events in their infectious cycle, subcellular structures – such as kinetochores – to understand their role in directing faithful chromosome segregation, and clathrin-coated vesicles to dissect mechanisms of endocytic membrane traffic. By combining cryo-EM, x-ray crystallography, live-cell optical imaging, and related biochemical and biophysical approaches, they seek to produce "molecular movies" of functioning subcellular molecular machines. The team is also documenting how the human immune response to influenza virus drives and responds to viral evolution.