Group Research

Protein biosynthesis and post-translational modifications

~~~Our research interests focus on macromolecular systems that are foundational to protein translation and post-translational protein modification. We use a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on techniques from biochemistry, molecular biology, organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry, and microbiology.

Projects are divided into two main research areas:

1) Indirect tRNA aminoacylation in the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori
2) GPI membrane anchoring in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

~~~Within the range of these projects, we are interested in addressing questions about substrate recognition, enzyme reaction mechanisms, and protein interactions with other proteins, RNA, carbohydrates and lipid membranes. We are also interested in designing new kinetic enzyme assays, and new methods for purifying and managing multi-subunit membrane bound enzymes and in target validation for the development of new mechanism-based anti-bacterials and/or anti-fungals.