Michael Hicks
Graduate Student
Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics
Research Summary
Current efforts in enzyme design indicate that engineering novel functions in a general fashion requires a greater understanding of protein structure-function relationships. By using advanced bioinformatic techniques in tandem with combinatorial experimental methods, we have begun to understand that there are inherent constraints on the catalytic functions that protein scaffolds can perform. It is therefore important to know what capabilities and constraints exist within a given protein template prior to attempting the design of novel function.
My research specifically focuses on elucidating the structural and catalytic strategies employed by six-bladed beta-propeller enzymes. Through phylogenetic and engineering efforts, I hope to better understand how nature has evolved activities within this fold class.
Education
B.S. 2005, Biology, Wake Forest University
