Research Focus

My research is focused on the folding and function of proteins with complex topologies, utilizing both computational and experimental techniques. Through my postdoctoral training, I discovered a new class of “knot-like” motifs called pierced lasso topologies (PLTs). Interestingly, these threaded topologies exist in all kingdoms of life, and populate 18% of known protein structures containing a disulfide bond. To understand the biological role of PLTs in human health, we study three model protein systems: (i) The pleiotropic hormone leptin controlling energy expenditure, and plays a role in obesity and obesity related cancers. (ii) The enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) from humans (hSOD1) and M. tuberculosis (MtSOD) bacteria. SOD protects cells from oxidative stress by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. (iii) Chemokines, small signaling proteins, that play a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation. They regulate the motility of immune cells, guiding them to sites of infection, injury, and inflammation. We are investigating fundamental features of PLTs and the biological implications in obesity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), tuberculosis, inflammation, and cancer. I am inspired by how nature works and utilize my multidisciplinary training to answer questions at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics.