Research

Enzymes function by stabilizing transition states (TSs), so a deep understanding of catalysis requires understanding their TSs. TSs exist for ~100 fs, and their concentrations are effectively zero, which makes studying them extremely challenging. We use kinetic isotope effects to determine TS structures. Learn more here.

Over 300 drugs used in the clinic are enzyme inhibitors, being used to treat everything from hypertension, to cancer, to AIDS. We develop inhibitors against bacterial enzymes as lead compounds for antibiotic development. Learn more here.