Despite the immense power of molecular biology tools to design and modify enzyme function, I believe nature is the ultimate arbiter of protein structure and function. As a result, my research can be divided in three areas that each explores the evolution of function using discrete model protein families: (1) Evolution of Quaternary Structure – various programs and web applications have been developed to understand sequence/structure relationships among natural enzyme variants at tertiary and quaternary structural levels in the PfpI/DJ-1 protein superfamily and predictions are being tested using biochemical assays. (2) Biochemical and genetic analysis of a short chain fatty acid kinase (member of the ASHKA superfamily) is being conducted to decipher its’ role in Rhodobacter sphaeroides physiology and (3) a collaborative research effort with DePauw University investigates the structure and function of putative archaeal transcriptional regulators.
