Kristen M. Varney, PhD
- Academic Title: Professor
- Primary Appointment: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Additional Title: Director, UMB NMR Core Facility Co-director, Structural Biology Shared Resource Section Leader, Structural Biology, CBT
- Email: KVarney@som.umaryland.edu
- Location: HSF2, Basement, NMR Suite
- Phone (Primary): (410) 706-2110
- Phone (Secondary): (410) 706-8335 (NMR room)
Education and Training
▪ University of Colorado, BS, Chemistry, 1999
▪ University of Colorado, BS, Biology, 1999
▪ University of Maryland, PhD, Molecular & Cell Biology, 2004
Biosketch
Dr. Varney has worked as manager of the UMB School of Medicine NMR Facility for more than 20 years, promoting the use of NMR spectroscopy in ongoing and new National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded research projects at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has served as Structural Biology section leader for the Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics (CBT) for the past 12 years and was appointed to the position of co-director for the Structural Biology Shared Resource of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) in 2019. As NMR Facility Director, she maintains the NMR spectrometers (600 MHz, 800 MHz, 950 MHz NMR), manages all NMR-related projects conducted at the facility, and performs NMR-related research. Another major component of this position is overseeing NIH-funded projects and training users. This training includes assisting investigators in preparing an appropriate NMR sample; troubleshooting sample conditions; setting up and running all NMR experiments; processing and analyzing NMR data; and using all NMR-related computer software for NMR structure and dynamic characterization of proteins, protein complexes, and complexes involving biomolecular therapeutics and small molecule inhibitors. In addition, she is skilled in implementing new NMR techniques for use in the facility, ensuring the best results for the more than 30 active projects currently in place at the facility.
Research/Clinical Keywords
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Drug design, Structural Biology
Highlighted Publications
Gu X, Adury VSS, Aranganathan A, Zhuang X, Varney KM, Weber DJ, Tiwary P. Hierarchical AF2RAVE for Multiconformation Virtual Screening Targeting S100 Ca(2+)-Binding Proteins. J Chem Theory Comput. 2025 Sep 23;21(18):9214-9225. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC13215704.
Pidugu LS, Gustafson EE, Servius HW, Cook ME, Lee NC, Varney KM, Drohat AC. Observing nucleotide flipping in DNA using indirect 2'-F nucleotide probes and 19F NMR. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jun 6;53(11) PubMed Central PMCID: PMC12146843.
Perry ML, Varney KM, Tiwary P, Weber DJ, Hernández-Ochoa EO. Unveiling the intricate role of S100A1 in regulating RyR1 activity: A commentary on "Structural insights into the regulation of RyR1 by S100A1". Cell Calcium. 2024 Nov;123:102947. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11613144.
Samanta R, Zhuang X, Varney KM, Weber DJ, Matysiak S. Deciphering S100B Allosteric Signaling: The Role of a Peptide Target, TRTK-12, as an Ensemble Modulator. J Chem Inf Model. 2024 Apr 22;64(8):3477-3487. PubMed PMID: 38605537.
Iyer AS, Wright NT, Cook ME, Takagi Y, Johnson BA, Biancalana V, Massier M, Spodenkiewicz M, Poirsier C, Vallecillo B, Constant Boyer F, Pineau C, Hensley L, Sellers JR, Varney KM, Weber DJ, Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos A. From bedside to bench: A multimodal approach uncovering the molecular basis of the MYBPC1-linked Myotrem myopathy. Proc Natl Acad
Sci U S A. 2026 Jun 9;123(23):e2529897123. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC13250559.