Some proteins are enzymes that interact with small molecules and promote chemical reactions.
Others provide, through precise chemical interactions with other proteins, nucleic acids and other ligands, molecular switches that control metabolic and developmental processes. The chemistry that governs specificity of interactions of proteins with their ligands is being explored by the Group in two ways. A recently-established research program in protein synthesis and evolution is directed toward development of an entirely new technology. We are mimicking experimentally in test tubes the natural process of Evolution, in order to evolve new functions in selected proteins. This gives us new opportunities to study fundamental questions about Evolution, and about protein structure, folding, and ligand interaction.