Session Abstract
One can imagine two different strategies to exploit the cellular translational apparatus–the ribosome and its associated factors–to generate sequence-defined polymers that are not simply arrays of L-alpha-amino acids. The backbone-edited materials that result offer opportunities for expanded function, predictable structure, tunable stability, and orthogonal reactivity. This lecture will describe both strategies as well as their ability to generate novel molecules that challenge our current definition of a protein.
Speaker Bio
Professor Schepartz's research group is interested in questions that span the chemistry-biology continuum. We seek to establish new knowledge about the chemistry of complex cellular processes and apply this knowledge to design or discover molecules–both small and large–with unique or useful properties. We apply the tools of organic synthesis, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural, molecular, and synthetic biology in our work. Current projects focus on (1) repurposing the ribosome to biosynthesize sequence-defined chemical polymers and polyketides; (2) exploring and improving novel tools for trafficking proteins to the cytosol and nucleus for therapeutic applications; (3) understanding the mechanism by which chemical information is transported through cellular membranes; and (4) developing new probes and fluorophores to image organelle dynamics at super-resolution for highly extended times and in multiple colors.