Enzymology of DNA Replication and DNA Repair
Members of my laboratory are interested in
studying the mechanisms of action of several proteins
that are responsible for replication of genomic DNA
and for the repair of DNA damaged by errors in
replication. At this time our focus is on E.
coli and S. cerevisiae clamp loader
proteins, g complex and RFC, that substantially
increase the efficiency of DNA replication, as well
as S. cerevisiae mismatch repair proteins,
Msh2-6 and Msh2-3, that recognize DNA damage and
initiate the repair process. Our research
utilizes a combination of steady-state and
pre-steady-state kinetics, as well as standard
protein biochemistry and molecular biology techniques
to examine the workings of these protein machines.
For example, we investigate:
·
How these proteins interact with each other and with
their DNA substrates under equilibrium conditions and
in real time.
·
How these proteins change conformation as they work
on DNA, and most importantly,
·
How these proteins utilize energy from ATP binding
and hydrolysis to perform their functions.
KMK College of Pharmacy,
University of Bombay, India: B. Pharm., 1990
Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio: Ph.D. Biochemistry, 1996
Advisor: Smita Patel
Rockefeller University, New York, NY:
Postdoctoral Fellow July 1996 - June1999
Rockefeller University, New York, NY:
Research Associate July 1999 - June 2000
Wesleyan University, Assistant Professor
July 2000 - present
Ohio State University Graduate Fellowship,
The Ohio State University, 1990
Ellis D. Neunherz Memorial Award for Graduate
Research, Sigma Xi, The Ohio State University,
1993
Outstanding Research Award, The Ohio State
University Dept. of Biochemistry, 1994
Canaga Wilbur Waite Fellowship, The Ohio
State University Dept. of Biochemistry, 1994
Outstanding Research Award, The Ohio State
University Dept. of Biochemistry, 1995
Charles Revson Fellowship for
Biomedical Research, The Rockefeller University,
1997
NIH NRSA Postdoctoral
Fellowship (Priority score = 133; not funded due
to delay in processing of resident status), 1998
