Dr. Laura Moore
Associate Professor of
Chemistry
Chair, Chemistry Department
Office: HT303
Research Projects
1. Biofuels Research
Our lab is examining E.
coli tolerance to chemicals present in the pre-treated biomass
(furfural, phenol derivatives) and to chemicals that E. coli will be engineered to
synthesize for biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel or other possible
biofuels). By adding genes from other microorganisms or
increasing the expression of endogeneous genes, we hope to make E. coli more tolerant to these
types of molecules and therefore, more successful at producing biofuels.
2. FNR transcription factor<>
<>The FNR transcription factor (shown below) is an oxygen sensing
transcription factor that activates genes necessary for anaerobic
respiration in E. coli. It
contains a 4Fe-4S cluster that degrades in the presence of
oxygen. We are interested in understanding the aspect of protein
cofactor interactions including:
<>
1) How the protein
enviroment can modify the properties of cofactors.
2) What components
influence the acquistion of the an Fe-S cluster in the FNR
protein?
3) How does FNR conformation
change when an Fe-S cluster is acquired? Does it stablize protein
folding also? How is the dimerization helix affected?
To examine these questions, our lab uses site-directed mutagenesis,
protease sensitivity experiments, absorption and fluorescence
spectroscopy.
3. Other possible projects
1) Other
oxygen sensors in E. Coli and
the use of DNA microarrays to determine
their function. Read about the project here. Link to the GCAT web
site (at Davidson College) here.
2) Can sensors be
used to create molecular machines? Read about a possible project
and the IGEM competition here.
We could assemble an IGEM team for
the fall of 2009.
Classes Fall 2008
Biochemistry
Biochemistry Lab
Introduction to Liberal Arts
Other topics of
interest
Premedical/pre-health career advising (page coming soon)
ACS student
affliliates club
Updated 8/26/08