Faculty

Our present research interests are in two areas: (i) nucleoside material chemistry (synthesis, characterization of interactions); and (ii

Biochemistry; protein structure and function relationships; protein dynamics; chemotaxis in bacteria.

Addition of small molecules, such as an alcohol or an osmolyte, to aqueous solutions of peptides and proteins often alters the dominant c

Cellular communication between bacteria, including mechanisms and biology of contact-dependent growth inhibition; epigenetic gene regulatory mechanisms.

Bio-nano technology including molecular mechanisms controlling self assembly, emergent properties of biomolecular systems from minerals to dynamically tunable color in octopus skin; translation to revolutionary new routes to semiconductors, optoelectronics and energy.

Neurotransmitter storage; transporter structure and function; development of in vivo diagnostics for PET and SPECT, rapid assays for drug abuse.

Soft condensed matter theory including biopolymer and biomembrane electrostatics, protein-membrane interactions, biopolymer solutions, and solution properties of conjugated polymers.

Molecular biology of animal virus-cell interactions; antiviral innate immunity & mechanisms of interferon action; translational control of gene expression in mammalian cells; and A-to-I RNA editing

Design, synthesis, and characterization of new bioinorganic materials with an emphasis on understanding interface assembly & control of bioprocesses.

Ion channels in the nervous system and cardiac muscle; molecular mechanisms of ion channel trafficking, regulation, and signal transduction.

Biochemistry and function of cytoskeletal proteins; regulation of microtubules assembly and dynamics.