Molecular Biosciences

Research Summary: 

My research program involves synergistic studies of protein and RNA folding, function and design, with both experimental and computational components. The research is based on the premise that rigorous and innovative studies of basic processes have broad implications in many areas of biological research. My experimental experience in protein folding, design, modeling, and biophysical methods provides an enormous benefit to our computational studies which heavily rely on the use of fundamental principles of protein folding. Since my Ph.D. in low temperature physics in 1989, I have entered many different biological fields and have made an impact in each area. These areas include delineating protein and RNA folding pathways, de novo structure prediction, design of light-triggered allosteric proteins, and RNA folding during transcription. My lab employs a range of experimental and computational methods including NMR, small-angle X-ray scattering, rapid mixing methods, hydrogen exchange, molecular dynamics and coarse-grain folding simulations. I am a very a strong believer in collaboration, having co-mentored 15+ students and post-doctoral fellows who produced 30+ papers in the last 10 years.