Structural Biology Program
The Christopher Lima Lab
Research

We are a research laboratory that studies fundamental structural, biochemical, and functional attributes for macromolecules involved in post-translational protein modification by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins such as SUMO, and pathways that contribute to co- and post-transcriptional RNA maturation, processing and decay. We pursue biochemical approaches to reconstitute key intermediates or complexes in these pathways and combine them with single particle cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography in conjunction with genetics and biochemistry to elucidate structure/activity relationships.
Research Projects
Featured News



Publications Highlights
People

Christopher D. Lima, PhD
Member and Chair, Structural Biology Program, SKI; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Alfred P. Sloan Chair
- The Lima laboratory studies mechanisms underlying RNA processing as well as post-translational protein modification by ubiquitin-like proteins.
- PhD, Northwestern University
- [email protected]
- Email Address
- 212-639-8205
- Office Phone
Members



- BS, Pacific Union College
- Cancer Biology



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Member; Chair, Structural Biology Program, SKI

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Lab Affiliations
Achievements
- Member, National Academy of Sciences (2020)
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017)
- Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2013)
- Louise and Allston Boyer Young Investigator in Basic Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2006)
- Scholar, Rita Allen Foundation (2003-2006)
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- Mayor's Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and New York Academy of Sciences (2003)
- Young Investigator Award, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation (1999-2002)
Lab News & Events
Open Positions
To learn more about available postdoctoral opportunities, please visit our Career Center
To learn more about compensation and benefits for postdoctoral researchers at MSK, please visit Resources for Postdocs
Career Opportunities
Applicants who are interested in working on mechanisms involved in post-translational protein modification or RNA capping and decay processes are always encouraged to apply for Postdoctoral Fellow positions in the lab.
Get in Touch
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Lab Head Email
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Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Christopher D. Lima discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
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Biogen Idec
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Cornell Research Foundation
Intellectual Property Rights -
GE Healthcare
Equity
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General Electric
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Reina Bio, Inc.
Professional Services and Activities -
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Equity
The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].