First name,Last name,Preferred title,Overview,Position,Department,Individual
Thomas,Meek,Professor,"Marketed drugs have been developed for representatives of all six classes of enzymes, and comprise essential therapies for the treatment of cancers, HIV/AIDS, hypercholesterolemia, and bacterial infections. The availability of known point mutations that are causative of human cancers , as well as the full genomic descriptions of many pathogens, such as parasitic protozoa and infectious bacteria, provides an emerging means to identify new or known enzymes that would constitute potential drug targets. Likewise, the availability of crystal structures of many of these enzymes or their analogues, provides a means to rationally design new inhibitors of enzyme drug targets via the use of molecular modelling and a full understanding of the chemical mechanism of the target enzymes, as an important adjuvant to inhibitor discovery via high-throughput screening.
Our laboratory will initially focus on the detailed study of the mechanisms of cysteine proteases such as cathepsin C, the isocitrate lyase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and human ATP-citrate lyase, by the use of pre-steady-state and steady-state kinetics, as well as by use of existing crystal structures of these enzymes, to inform the design of both covalent and other mechanism-based modes for the inactivation of these enzymes. We will design and synthesize candidate inhibitors, and test them against these and other enzyme targets, and determine their suitability as potential drug candidates.",Professor,Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n41081941
Leisha,Mullins,Senior Lecturer,,Senior Lecturer,Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na1c64074
Bryant,Miles,Senior Lecturer,,Senior Lecturer,Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/na8d0dc03
Michael,Manson,Professor,"Bacteria have a limited behavioral repertoire. Their most conspicuous behavior is chemotaxis - the pursuit of molecules that are favorable to acquire and the avoidance of chemicals that are best to avoid. The simplicity of bacterial motility and chemotaxis and the amenability of the model species Escherichia coli to genetic, biochemical and physiological manipulation have facilitated rapid advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of biological energy conversion and signal transduction.
Our laboratory studies the inputs and outputs of chemotaxis. Ligands interact with the periplasmic receptor domain of a chemotactic signal transducer that spans the cell membrane. This interaction is converted into an intracellular signal that is communicated to the flagella. Molecules can be sensed either by binding directly to a receptor or by first interacting with a periplasmic binding protein, which then interacts with a receptor.",Professor||Professor,Biology||Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/ne190242a
John,Mullet,Professor,"Functional genomics, bioinformatics, and DNA chip technology are fundamentally changing research on biological systems. Knowledge of complete genome sequences and high resolution genome technology provide an extraordinary opportunity to understand complex biological processes and to relate detailed understanding of protein structure and biochemical mechanism to the function of whole organisms and biological systems in nature.
Our research team is helping to build genome maps and DNA diagnostic microarrays/chips for analysis of global gene expression and biodiversity. This new technology is being used to explore the molecular basis of several fundamental plant responses: (1) light responsive genetic systems that help protect plants from damage by high intensity UV/blue light; (2) genetic systems that allow plants to adapt to the environment; (3) genes and signal transduction pathways that help protect plants from insects and disease; and (4) genes that regulate plant development (flowering time, fertility restoration, chloroplast development/number).",Professor,Biochemistry and Biophysics,https://scholars.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/nf1c81fcb