How do mobile genetic elements jump? We use biochemistry, structural biology, and microbiology to get mechanistic answers. Projects include the SCCmec element of MRSA and the paradigmatic Mu transposase.
NIH / NIDDK
Bethesda, MD
post-doctoral - Transposition Biochemistry
1997
Yale University
New Haven, CT
PhD - Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry
1992
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
BA - Biochemistry
1986
In vitro properties of large serine integrase hybrids derived from ?C31 and TG1 integrases.
In vitro properties of large serine integrase hybrids derived from ?C31 and TG1 integrases. Nucleic Acids Res. 2026 Jul 17; 54(14).
PMID: 42535648
Antagonism by the type VI secretion system of Bacteroides fragilis is controlled by a TetR family regulator and released small molecule.
Antagonism by the type VI secretion system of Bacteroides fragilis is controlled by a TetR family regulator and released small molecule. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Apr 14; 123(15):e2516485123.
PMID: 41945450
Mei5-Sae3 stabilizes both active and inactive forms of Dmc1 filaments independently of its impact on ATP hydrolysis.
Mei5-Sae3 stabilizes both active and inactive forms of Dmc1 filaments independently of its impact on ATP hydrolysis. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Oct 28; 53(20).
PMID: 41206037
Functional Relevance of CASP16 Nucleic Acid Predictions as Evaluated by Structure Providers.
Functional Relevance of CASP16 Nucleic Acid Predictions as Evaluated by Structure Providers. Proteins. 2026 Jan; 94(1):51-78.
PMID: 40905273
Antagonism by the Type VI secretion system of Bacteroides fragilis is controlled by a TetR family regulator and released small molecule.
Antagonism by the Type VI secretion system of Bacteroides fragilis is controlled by a TetR family regulator and released small molecule. bioRxiv. 2025 Aug 20.
PMID: 40894554
Identification of cognate recombination directionality factors for large serine recombinases by virtual pulldown.
Identification of cognate recombination directionality factors for large serine recombinases by virtual pulldown. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jul 19; 53(14).
PMID: 40701553
Flagellar switch inverted repeats impact heterogeneity in flagellar gene expression and thus C. difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence.
Flagellar switch inverted repeats impact heterogeneity in flagellar gene expression and thus C. difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence. Cell Rep. 2025 Jun 24; 44(6):115830.
PMID: 40504685
Functional relevance of CASP16 nucleic acid predictions as evaluated by structure providers.
Functional relevance of CASP16 nucleic acid predictions as evaluated by structure providers. bioRxiv. 2025 Apr 18.
PMID: 40568131
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors.
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 01 24; 53(3).
PMID: 39907112
Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases.
Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 13.
PMID: 39803483
Distinguished Educator in the Basic Sciences
University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division
2015
NSF fellowship
1987
Gannett Newspaper Carrier Scholarship
1982 - 1986