Ambika Bhagi-Damodaran

Chemical Biology: metalloenzymes, small-molecule discovery, protein engineering

Inorganic & Organometallic Chemistry: spectroscopy, catalysis

Metalloenzymes are at the heart of numerous biological processes ranging from respiration and photosynthesis to natural product biosynthesis. Research in the Bhagi-Damodaran lab focuses on investigating structure, function and reaction mechanisms of metalloenzymes, and developing rational approaches to modulate their biological activities. Drawing from the core disciplines of biological, inorganic, medicinal, and computational chemistry, our group utilizes protein engineering and small molecule discovery strategies to address pressing health and energy related challenges. Specific research projects in the Bhagi-Damodaran Lab focus on rewiring metalloenzyme-dependent redox signal transduction pathways for next-generation tuberculosis and cancer therapeutics. We are also working towards re-programing non-heme iron enzymes for modular, versatile, and sustainable C-H bond halogenation biocatalysis. Our Lab is affiliated with the Center for Bioinorganic Chemistry (CBIC) and the Chemical Biology Initiative Group (CBIG) at the University of Minnesota.