Mark D. Distefano

Mark D. Distefano
Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Distinguished University Teaching Professor, Department of ChemistryContact
Kolthoff Hall Room 668C 225 Pleasant Street SeMinneapolis, MN 55455
Education
B.S. Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 1984
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989
Post Doctorate California Institute of Technology, 1989-1992
Chemical Biology, protein engineering
Organic Chemistry, bioorganic chemistry
Our group is interested in molecular recognition and catalysis in the context of proteins. Current research is focused on the process of protein prenylation, a key modification that occurs on proteins involved in cellular signaling. Part of the group is studying the enzymes responsible for this process with the ultimate goal of facilitating the development of new anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents. The other major focus concerns the use of protein prenylation to selectively modify proteins for therapeutic applications. Group members use a combination of small molecule- and macromolecule-based methods including organic synthesis, peptide chemistry, enzyme assays, proteomics, recombinant DNA methods and mammalian cell culture.




Honors and Awards
Lloyd Reyerson Professorship, 2016
American Chemical Society Fellow, 2014
Distinguished McKnight University Professor, 2011
Merck Professor of Chemistry, 2011
Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Distinguished Teaching Professor, 2006
George W. Taylor/ITAS Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2004
National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 1994
American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Research Award, 1994
3M Alumni Assistant Professor, 1992
Mailing Address
Mark D. Distefano
University of Minnesota
Department of Chemistry
A-8, 139 Smith Hall, 207 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0431