Biophysical Chemistry
Research in the Biophysical Chemistry explores the connections between physical chemistry and the chemical function of biological molecules. Protein folding, nucleic acid structure, biological electron transfer, and macromolecular dynamics are some of the topics investigated by this group of researchers, using both experiment and computation.
Associated Faculty
John Caradonna
Bioinorganic chemistry
The Caradonna lab is interested in the biological chemistry of non-heme iron.
Approaches include the investigation of synthetic reactivity models, biophysical
and mechanistic studies of natural metalloenzymes, and the rational design of
metalloproteins.
Sean Elliott
Bioinorganic chemistry and Metallobiochemistry
Protein film voltammetry (PFV) is used in the Elliott lab as a way to explore
the electron transfer pathways and redox-dependent catalytic chemistry of complex
metalloproteins such as sulfite reductase and multicopper oxidases. We also are
devloping proteomic tools to allow us to probe the 'metallome' -- a complete
read-out of the metal-binding components of biological pathways -- such that
we can develop new insight into the role of metal ions in biochemistry.
Rosina Georgiadis
Physical and analytical chemistry of interfaces
Development and application of in-situ optical surface spectroscopies (especially
surface plasmon resonance and surface Raman) to investigate fundamental physical
and chemical processes at solid/liquid interfaces. Current projects relate to
molecular and biopolymer adsorption, self assembly and film formation, DNA/DNA
and DNA/drug binding at interfaces, biocorrosion studies, electropolymerization
of conducting polymer films and electric field effects at biomaterial interfaces.
Mark Grinstaff
Macromolecular, Bioinorganic, and Biological Chemistry
My group pursues highly interdisciplinary research in the areas of biological
and macromolecular chemistry. The major goal in these research projects
is to elucidate the underlying fundamental chemistry and engineering
principles and to use that insight to direct our creative and scientific
efforts. In one of our current research projects, we are designing, synthesizing,
and characterizing novel dendrimers, termed “biodendrimers,” for
tissue engineering and biotechnological applications. Currently, we are
evaluating these novel biomaterials for the repair of corneal lacerations,
for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, for the delivery of DNA, and as
temporary biodegradable scaffolds for cartilage repair. In a second project,
we are creating novel polymeric coatings termed “interfacial biomaterials” that
control biology on plastic, metal, and ceramic surfaces. In a third project,
we are designing electrochemical-based sensors/devices using conducting
polymer nanostructures and specific DNA structural motifs.
Guilford Jones
Pathogen detection using fluorescence bioassays
This work is focused on the development of unique vectors for known sequences
of bacterial genes, including pathogens that are of importance with regard to
biological warfare threats or food and water safety. Fluorescent tagging of these
vectors provides a highly sensitivity method for specific detection of bacteria.
The research aim of the Reinhard Laboratory is to develop materials and methods that will advance our understanding of complex chemical and biological systems on a molecular level. One objective of the research is to gain better understanding of the properties and mode of operations of enzymes and complex molecular machines that govern fundamental life processes. The second objective is to develop new and useful products from these "nanotechnologies". The Group combines engineered nanomaterials and selfassembled biological components into useful devices for applications in sensing, biocatalysis and synthesis.
John Straub
Protein structure and dynamics
The Straub group focuses on the theoretical and computational modeling of biophysical
systems. Particular areas of interest include ultrafast dynamics and energy transfer
in heme proteins, the development of computational algorithms for structural
optimization and sampling in proteins and organic crystals, and the modeling
of peptide and protein aggregation.
Thomas Tullius
Bioinorganic chemistry
Development and use of the hydroxyl radical (generated by the reaction of iron(II)
EDTA with hydrogen peroxide) as a high-resolution chemical footprinting reagent
to determine the structure of DNA and DNA-protein complexes in solution. In vivo
hydroxyl radical footprinting, using gamma radiation as the source of hydroxyl
radical. Mapping of DNA structure in the genome.
Protein bioinformatics
The Xia group applies computational techniques to study the structure, function, and evolution of complex bio-molecular systems, such as proteins and protein networks. Specific projects include: reconstruction of protein interaction and regulatory networks by genomic data integration; comparative and evolutionary analysis of proteins and protein networks; protein sequence-structure-function relationships; prediction of protein structure and function.