Description of Research
Research in our laboratory lies at the chemistry-biology interface and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the role of post-translational modifications in the dynamic regulation of cellular function and how alterations in these modification states correlate to disease. The combination of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology is utilized in developing small-molecule tools to not only identify where substrates are modified, but to investigate the physiological effect of such modifications in vivo. Specifically, cofactor mimics bearing ligatable handles serve as substrates for cellular enzymes to generate easily-detected functionalities on complex biological surfaces. Ultimately, the long-term value of such agents to serve as biochemical tools will allow us to begin understanding the underlying chemical driving forces which induce and alter biologically important processes and disease through post-translational modifications. --READ MORE--