Denver, Colorado, United States
The focus of my laboratory is two-fold. 1. We aim to understand the molecular mechanisms governing the function and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); 2. We aim to leverage our mechanistic understanding to develop new strategies for targeting GPCRs in human disease. My lab accomplishes this using a range of (bio)chemical, biophysical, and cell biological techniques. We use cryo-electron microscopy, single-molecule biophysical techniques (e.g., smFRET), proteomics/mass spectrometry and protein engineering to study the systems in my group. Our work is truly at the frontier of mechanistic basic science and translation, and we are fortunate to have many fantastic collaborators to support our work. Ultimately, our mission is to develop the next generation of GPCR-targeting therapeutics.
With Dr. Brian K. Kobilka, studying G protein-coupled receptor biophysics.
Laboratories of Suzanne Walker (HMS) and Daniel Kahne (Harvard Chemistry). Studies of the essential human glycosyltransferase, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT): 1. Mechanism of HCF-1 cleavage by OGT 2. Studies of carboxylate activation catalyzed via glycosylation 3. Development of small molecule OGT inhibitors
With Prof. Robert A. Batey on using potassium organotrifluoroborates in organic synthesis. I worked on two major projects during my time in the lab: 1. Development of chemoselective allylation methods. 2. Total synthesis of (+)-Antimycin A1b