- Chemical Biology: metalloenzymes, small-molecule discovery, protein engineering
- Inorganic & Organometallic Chemistry: spectroscopy, catalysis
- Analytical and Bioanalytical: High-throughput biocatalytic screening & structural mass spectrometry of protein complexes
- Chemical Biology: Artificial metalloenzymes and Biocatalysis & directed evolution of redox enzymes
- Chemical Theory and Computation: AI-guided protein design & molecular dynamics of structural-functional conformational changes
- Energy and Catalysis: Energy-converting metalloenzymes & sustainable metallo-biocatalysis
- Environmental Chemistry and Green Chemistry: Green chemoenzymatic synthesis & sustainable biocatalytic cascades
- Experimental Physical Chemistry: Metalloprotein spectroscopy (e.g., EPR, Raman)
- Inorganic and Organometallic: Bioinorganic chemistry
- Organic Chemistry: Biocatalytic C-H activation & enzyme-directed late-stage functionalization
Research Summary
Metalloenzymes drive life's most essential and complex processes, from respiration to natural product biosynthesis. In our lab, we view these sophisticated molecular machines not just as subjects of study but as powerful blueprints. By leveraging advanced bioinformatics and computational tools to discover new metalloenzymes, we investigate their fundamental structure, function, and reaction mechanisms to reprogram their biological activities and solve pressing global challenges. Our research sits at the dynamic intersection of biological, inorganic, and computational chemistry. Trainees in our group gain expertise in a highly versatile, interdisciplinary toolkit. We bridge rigorous experimental physical and analytical chemistry techniques—such as high-throughput biocatalytic screening, structural mass spectrometry of protein complexes, and metalloprotein spectroscopy with theoretical frameworks, including molecular dynamics of structural-functional conformational changes and cutting-edge AI structural prediction tools. Currently, our group is recruiting trainees (at undergrad, graduate and postdoc level) to drive innovation in three primary research areas:
- Targeted Therapeutics via Redox Signaling: We are developing tools and techniques to reprogram metalloenzyme-dependent redox signal transduction pathways in cells. By understanding and manipulating these sensory pathways, we are developing next-generation therapeutics to combat tuberculosis and cancer.
- Green Biocatalysis and Enzyme-Directed Functionalization: We design natural and artificial metalloenzymes to execute entirely new organic chemistry. Using AI-guided protein design and the directed evolution of redox enzymes, we are developing modular, sustainable biocatalysts for selective biocatalytic C-H activation and enzyme-directed late-stage functionalization.
- Sustainable Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Energy Solutions: We are advancing environmental and green chemistry by designing sustainable biocatalytic cascades and green chemoenzymatic synthesis routes. This includes exploring energy-converting metalloenzymes to pioneer new frontiers in sustainable metallo-biocatalysis for future energy applications.
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