Professor Ambika Bhagi-Damodaran

Professor Ambika Bhagi-Damodaran
Department of Chemistry
University of Minnesota
Abstract

Exploring and Engineering Iron Enzymes: Six Years of Bhagi-Damodaran Lab

From respiration to nitrogen fixation, iron-containing enzymes catalyze some of the most critical biological processes. These enzymes exploit their complex protein architecture to manipulate the chemical properties of their iron center and execute a diverse array of biochemical reactions. The Bhagi-Damodaran lab is dedicated to elucidating the structural and mechanistic foundations of iron enzyme function and developing small-molecule discovery and computational protein engineering strategies to optimize their biological capabilities. These enzyme engineering endeavors, while central to biological and inorganic chemistry, hold immense promise for advancing therapeutics and sustainable catalysis. In this seminar, Professor Bhagi-Damodaran will delve into her lab’s research on (A) deciphering the molecular underpinnings of iron enzyme-mediated redox signaling pathways in cells, (B) rationally engineering iron enzymes for precise and adaptable C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions, and (C) redox selectively inhibiting iron enzymes for the development of next-generation antibiotics. This talk will appeal to a broad audience of Biological, Inorganic, Computational, and Analytical Chemists.

Ambika Bhagi-Damodaran

Ambika Bhagi-Damodaran is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Ambika completed her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign in 2016 focusing on structure- function relations of iron and copper enzymes involved in respiration and denitrification processes. Ambika’s postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco focused on understanding structural basis of protein- protein interactions in an enzymatic cancer drug target. In 2018, Ambika started her independent career at the University of Minnesota. She leads the Bhagi-Damodaran lab which focuses on engineering metalloenzymes towards sustainable catalysis and new therapeutics. Throughout her career, Ambika has received numerous awards. Most notable amongst them are the Young Investigator Award from American Chemical Society, NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein postdoctoral fellowship, Faculty for the Future award from Schlumberger foundation, NIH MIRA award, NSF CAREER Award, 3M NTF Award, RCSA Cottrell Scholar Award, McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, and ACS Jon Sessler Award for Emerging Leaders in Bioinorganic and Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry.

Hosted by Professor Mark Distefano