Exploring RNA Catalysis and RNA Binding Specificity
Our research seeks to address fundamentally important questions in RNA biology and enzyme mechanism: How does Nature utilize the physical properties of RNA to achieve catalysis? Can we accurately predict the specificity of enzymes and proteins that bind to RNA? How can we leverage our understanding of RNA to contribute to the development of novel therapeutics?
To answer these questions we are applying a range of experimental tools including high throughput enzymology, rapid reaction kinetics, and spectroscopy. We are also engaged in synergistic collaborations allowing us to integrate structural biology, computation, and medicinal chemistry.
Our long-term vision is to make a fundamental contributions to our understanding of RNA catalysis, develop broadly useful models of RNA specificity, and realize novel opportunities in drug discovery.
