Assistant Professor

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The general focus of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms of enzymes involved in replication, drug resistance, and signal transduction. Currently, the research efforts of the laboratory are focused on two areas: (i) the mechanism, regulation, and inhibition of the Src family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases and (ii) the enzymology of reverse transcriptases and retroviral drug-resistance mechanisms. Overall, the goal for these projects is to answer the fundamental biochemical questions of (i) how do these enzymes catalyze phosphoryl (kinase) and nucleotidyl (polymerase) transfer reactions and (ii) how are the chemical activities of these enzymes modulated by mutations, inhibitors, or effector molecules/proteins. Our laboratory is using a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the enzyme mechanisms with particular emphasis on the use of transient-state kinetics (rapid chemical quench and stopped-flow) and equilibrium measurements to elucidate the kinetics and thermodynamics of the enzymatic pathways. Mutational analyses and structural studies will also be performed to define structure-function relationships in the enzymes involved. Elucidation of the enzymes' molecular mechanisms, together with structural information, will aid in the assessment and development of more effective antiviral and anticancer therapies.

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