My research interests stem from structure/function studies on enzymatic reactions, focusing on the reactions which have function in archaeal organisms. Currently, my main area of focus is the structure/function of actate kinase, and mRNA stability in archaea.
Archaeal mRNA turnover
The second area of focus is mRNA turnover and/or stability in the archaea. The two genes of interest are from Haloarcuola marismouri, a high salt growing organism and Pyrococcus furiosis, a hyperthermophile. The conditions under which these organisms grow affect the stability of mRNA, so what effect is there on the half-lives of mRNA in vitro. In bacterial systems, RNase E/G serves to terminate the effective time a mRNA can be translated, the most similar protein in P. furiosis has been shown to bind mRNA, but does it cleave? Or, does this protein serve to stabilize the mRNA to allow translation, and once dissociated, the mRNA degrades due to the environmental conditions? These are the questions that are being addressed in the laboratory.