Ongoing projects in the lab include:
CRY-BARs: An optogenetic approach to disrupting membrane-bound architectural features in cells. Relevant to cellular dynamics and neurodegenerative disease-related processes.
CofActor: A light- and stress-dependent approach to mimicking cofilin-actin rod formation. Cofilin-actin rods are associated with the progression of neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s disease.
OptoBax: An optogenetic approach to the on-cue initiation of apoptosis. This technology enables selective apoptosis in cellular networks and can be used in conjunction with biosensors for cell signaling.
HaloTag mediated enzyme immobilization: HaloTag provides a clean and robust means for immobilizing HaloTag fusion proteins. We have developed immobilized proteases and kinases, and are interested in using immobilized enzymes in flow reactor systems.
protaTETHER: A method for cloning small linker libraries into fusion proteins. This method facilitates linker-based activity and expression optimization studies for protein fusions.
Biocatalysis/organocatalysis of C-C bond forming reactions: These projects use catalytic proteins, peptides, and small molecules for the green synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. Currently, these projects are the focus of our CURE laboratories (https://rede.ecu.edu/undergraduate/cures/) for first- and second-semester organic chemistry students.
Interested in any of these projects? Please contact us here: hughesr16 AT ecu DOT edu. We welcome collaborative proposals.
Screening of Enzymes for Catalysis of C-C Bond Forming Reactions
Photo credit: Mitul Patel
