MIP Seminar: Dr. Denise Okafor, Ph.D., Penn State University, "Allosteric mechanisms of transcriptional control in FXR"
- Event Type
- Seminar/Symposium
- Sponsor
- MIP seminar committee
- Location
- Charles Miller Auditorium, B102, CLSL
- Date
- Mar 6, 2025 11:00 am
- Speaker
- Denise Okafor, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Views
- 172
- Originating Calendar
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology (MIP) Department Seminar Series
Research Summary
We investigate structural mechanisms of signaling and regulation in protein complexes. We use MD simulations to determine how conformational dynamics of proteins are altered in different functional states. A broad range of biochemical and structural techniques are also employed. Combined, these allow us to carefully elucidate molecular mechanisms that govern the regulation of protein function. By understanding how proteins are regulated endogenously, we aim to identify novel strategies to selectively modulate protein function. Nuclear receptors are one of our favorite classes of molecules to study, because of the fascinatingly complex but elegant allosteric regulatory mechanisms that drive their function. They also play critical roles in metabolism, development, reproduction and other biological processes, which make them highly attractive therapeutic targets.