Karen Allen

Chair, Department of Chemistry; Professor, Biological Chemistry; Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Education
- B.S., cum laude in Biology, Tufts University, 1984
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Brandeis University, 1989 - Office
- SCI 394A
- drkallen@bu.edu
- Phone
- 617.358.5544
Karen Allen investigates protein structure and function through X-ray diffraction and enzyme kinetic studies. Prior to joining the Department of Chemistry in 2008, she was Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. A leader in the American Chemical Society, she is currently an Associate Editor of the ACS journal, Biochemistry.
The Allen Research Group investigates the structure, function, and catalytic properties of enzymes. Their insights into these essential proteins guide the design of specialized molecules and enzymes to aid in drug discovery and in the development of tools that assist in protein studies. The Allen Group researchers conduct their studies using X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy, enzymology, and bioinformatics and routinely collaborate with leading laboratories at other universities.
- Fields
- Hariri Faculty Affiliate