Our Mission
Our mission is to apply basic principles of chemistry to important problems in biology. There are three primary foci for our research.
DNA/RNA Binders - In one project, we are examining how small molecules bind to specific sites on the DNA helix. The resulting new knowledge is being used to design DNA/RNA-binders for probing nucleic acid structure/function. These molecules have a high potential for chemotherapeutic applications.
Protein Scissors - In this project, we are developing protein scissors to footprint ligand binding sites on proteins. The scissors are activated by light or heat to cleave the peptide backbone, on demand. Analysis of the resulting peptide fragments allowed us to identify ligand binding sites on proteins. We are now constructing scissors to identify ATP binding sites on proteins. These scissors have a high potential for chemotherapy applications.
BionanoMaterials - We are using the new knowledge obtained in the above projects to build novel biocatalysts. We encapsulate enzymes between the inorganic layered materials (wafers) and such enzymes are unusually stabilized by the inorganic layers, and they facilitated catalysis near the boiling point of water. This is very unusual, but very exciting.
Currently, we are using protein scissors to determine enzyme orientation in these biocatalysts. Similarly, we are using the DNA/RNA-binders to assemble enzymes along the DNA helix, for biocatalytic applications.
In the near future, we hope to encapsulate enzymes, DNA, RNA and other biological components in inorganic hollow spheres to function as mimics of inorganic life forms.
