Our laboratory is looking at how cells ensure that proteins fold into their correct shape, as well as the role of protein misfolding in disease and normal physiology. We are also developing experimental and analytical approaches for exploring the organizational principles of biological systems and globally monitoring protein translation through ribosome profiling.

To ensure proper folding, cells have evolved a sophisticated and essential machinery of proteins called molecular chaperones that assist the folding of newly made polypeptides. The importance of proper protein folding is underscored by the fact that a number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s and those involving infectious proteins (prions), result from protein-misfolding events. My research focuses on identifying and understanding the machinery necessary for efficient folding, as well as studying the mechanism and consequences of protein misfolding. We are also developing experimental and analytical approaches for exploring the organizational principles of complex biological systems and for monitoring protein translation in vivo with unprecedented precision and depth.

The ability to bridge large-scale approaches and mechanistic investigations is a key focus of my lab. Beyond the immediate payoff of these efforts, I hope our work will contribute to the broader goal of developing more principled, less ad hoc approaches for defining gene functions.

Below are descriptions of three broad project areas of the lab.