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We are interested in anything Biochemistry!
Our group is broadly interested in proteins. While majority of our current efforts are directed towards phosphatases (projects briefly described below), the tools and strategies that we use can be employed to any protein system. In particular, we have a standing interested in understudied proteins and in particular in identifying chemical probes that will help assign their cellular function and also serve as scaffolds to be developed as potential therapeutics. We are also interested in the fundamentals of how proteins function.
Targeting the Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL3)
PRL3/PTP4A3 is a member of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (PTP) superfamily. It has been implicated in several cancers including colorectal, breast, ovarian cancers, and leukemia, among others. We are developing small molecule inhibitors targeting PRL3/PTP4A3 towards the development of potential anti-cancer therapeutics.
Identifying new molecules targeting PTP1B
PTP1B, another member of the PTP superfamily, is a well-established target in diabetes and obesity, and an emerging target in cancers. Arguably, it is one of the most well-studied PTPs, accounting for more than 50% of PTP structures in the Protein Data Bank. PTP1B has also served as one of the models in studying protein dynamics, particularly allostery.
Unlocking the human PTPome
Structural information is now available for all sub-families within the PTP superfamily. We are interested in uncovering the structures for all PTPs and in developing chemical probes to uncover their function in health and disease.
Evolving and engineering nanobodies
Nanobodies are small (~15 kDa), single domain proteins derived from IgG of camelids. Nanobodies are highly conserved except for their complementary determining regions (CDR) which confer their ability to bind a wide range of antigens. We are developing tools to make nanobody evolution and engineering more accessible.
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