My primary research focus is the study of the mechanisms of action, regulation, and structure of enzymes. Enzymes are polymers of amino acids that are capable of arranging into a specific conformation or fold, providing them with exquisite catalytic efficiency and specificity. Since the discovery that reactions in the cell are catalyzed by enzymes, scientists have been studying how these macromolecules catalyze their specific reactions and how they acquire a unique structure that defines their function. Knowledge of enzyme structure and function is essential to our understanding of the origins of genetic disorders and for providing clues for the identification of drugs against infectious diseases, cancer, or metabolic disorders.
The research in the laboratory aims to contribute to our understanding of the basic principles of enzyme structure and function. Specifically, we study enzymes that are essential for bacterial growth and are important for fungal or parasitic pathogenesis, are involved in antibiotic biosynthesis and degradation, or have application in industrial processes. Apart from increasing our understanding of how enzymes function, selecting enzymes that are important for the growth of microbial pathogens will lead to the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents against several human diseases. Similarly, as we learn how the structures of enzymes determine their function, we may be able to engineer new catalysts for application in the biomedical or chemical industry. As model systems, we have chosen to study enzymes that catalyze three different chemical reactions: 1) sugar ring contraction, 2) hydroxylation, and 3) dehalogenation.
Active Research Support
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2022-67013-37047) (06/2022-06/2025) Jelesko, J (61% PI) Sobrado, P., (39% Co-PI). Characterization of the Last Metabolic Step in Poison Ivy Urushiol Biosynthesis. Amount: $649,000.
- National Science Foundation (CHE-2106188), (07/2021-06/2025-NCE) Tanko, J (55% PI) Sobrado, P., (45% Co-PI). Proton coupled electron transfer and the mechanism of MAO catalysis. Amount: $525,663.
- National Science Foundation (CHE-2003658), (07/2020-06/2025-NCE) Sobrado, P., (PI). Collaborative Project: Structure and Function of Flavin-Dependent N-Monooxygenases. Amount: $402,000.