More About Our Research
Our research is aimed at understanding how natural proteins perform their biological functions, and how we can apply this information to engineer novel proteins. We use high-throughput experimentation and computational modeling to systematically dissect the molecular basis of protein function. This work is highly interdisciplinary and combines approaches from biochemistry, molecular biology, applied physics, engineering, and computer science.
Navigation of Protein Fitness Landscapes
Understanding how protein sequence maps to biochemical function is crucial for designing and engineering proteins with new and useful properties. This mapping involves an extraordinarily complex balance of numerous physical interactions, many of which are still not well understood. We are developing machine learning-based tools to infer the relationship between protein sequence and function from evolutionary, structural, and functional data to navigate protein fitness landscapes. Our modeling approach enables the discovery of new biochemical mechanisms and provides exceptional predictive accuracy for protein design.
Self-driving Labs for Biology
The potential of integrating self-driving laboratories in biological research becomes increasingly evident as we navigate the complexities of vast protein fitness landscapes. We design autonomous systems to handle iterative scientific experiments without human intervention, dramatically accelerating the pace to engineer proteins. Our integration of machine learning models enhance the capabilities of the self-driving lab, enabling them to predict the most promising experimental paths to engineer a protein. Ultimately, self-driving labs represent a transformative shift in how biological research can be conducted.
Proteins Engineering for Therapeutics
The field of protein engineering holds immense potential for developing novel therapeutic agents. By harnessing the principles of protein design and evolution, we engineer proteins with enhanced or entirely new functionalities, paving the way for targeted and efficient treatments.
Protein Engineering for Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering
Protein engineering enables the development of efficient, sustainable processes for chemical synthesis and biofuel production. By tailoring enzymes and other proteins to specific tasks, we design systems that are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional chemical processes.
