Prof. Robert T Sauer

Protein function and folding is studied in the Sauer lab using biochemistry and biophysics, structural biology, protein design and engineering, and molecular genetics. Also being studies are mechanisms of protein unfolding and degradation by AAA+ molecular machines and Allosteric control of PDZ-protease systems that signal between cellular compartments.

The Lab studies the relationships between protein structure, sequence, folding, and function, with particular attention to ATP-dependent machines that catalyze protein destruction, cellular factors that target proteins for degradation, and proteolytic systems that sense protein-folding stress and activate appropriate cellular responses.