The membranes that define and compartmentalize all living cells have been called a "fluid mosaic" of proteins embedded within a lipid bilayer membrane. The integrity of these membranes as well as the functions of the proteins within them are essential to life. For example, more than 25% of all proteins in the human genome are membrane proteins and about half of all drug targets are membrane proteins. Our laboratory is studying the structure and folding of proteins in membranes using peptide model systems and computer analysis. We are also developing methods for the design and engineering of membrane proteins and for the design of molecules that modulate the function or activity of membrane proteins.
The laboratory's broad, long-term research areas are listed below:
Peptide Drug Design
Targeted application of high throughput screening of peptide libraries to problems of acute biomedical interest. e.g. design of peptide antibiotics.
Protein Engineering
Design and engineer peptide model systems that fold into specific structures in membranes. Most of our current efforts are directed toward the design of transmembrane b-barrels.
Physical Chemistry and Thermodynamics
Understand the fundamental physical principles of peptide folding in membranes.
Genomics and Proteomics
Develop algorithms for identifying membrane proteins in genome databases and test those predictions using proteomics methods.
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening
Use combinatorial peptide libraries and high thoughput screening methods to design peptides that fold into specific structures in membranes and to design peptides that specifically interact with particular membrane proteins.
