Uncovering new approaches to manipulate and probe biochemical processes with spatial and temporal precision

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

While traditional genetic tools will always have their place in the molecular and cellular biologist’s armamentarium, increasingly scientists require more nuanced and precise tools for probing biological processes. Over the past 15 years, our group has been developing methods that allow researchers to acutely perturb biochemical processes, in real time, with fast, reversible, and tunable control. A focus of our research is the development of tools that utilize induced protein interactions that can be activated by light or chemicals to control downstream cellular processes and a variety of protein assemblies, including dimerization, oligomerization, clustering, and biomolecular condensates. In our ongoing work, we will continue to develop, validate, and explore the use of novel optogenetic and chemical genetic tools to control protein function and assembly, extending these tools into new areas. The long term goals of the project are to enable a set of modular precision tools for probing and manipulating dynamic biochemical processes, and begin to utilize these tools to uncover new biology with relevance to health and disease states.