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Prof. Kevin W. Plaxco

kwp@chem.ucsb.edu

1103 Chemistry

(805) 893-5558 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My lab studies protein folding and biomolecular engineering. Our goal in these endeavors is both an improved understanding of the folding process and an ability to apply this rapid, highly specific, highly cooperative self-assembly process to the development of nano-scale electronic sensors and adaptable materials.

See Research page for more info.

Dr. Ryan White

rwhite@chem.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My research is focused on the optimization and mechanistic characterization of E-AB sensors. In particular I am interested in how the biophysics are affected when DNA is immobilized to an electrode surface. With a better understanding of the biophysics we should be able to rationally design improved sensors. In addition to this research, I am exploring new analytical and practical avenues for our aptamer constructs.

Dr. Alexis Vallée-Bélisle

avallee-belisle@chem.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

A protein folder by training, my primary interest is in the development of new and more efficient fluorescent and electrochemical biosensors for the detection of oligonucleotides, proteins, small molecules and inorganic ions. More specifically, my research is focused on the design and rational optimization of universal biomolecular switches.

 

Dr. Fan Xia

fxia@chem.ucsb.edu

Broida 4409

(805) 300-6436 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My research focus is on the application of binding-induced folding to the design and implementation of adaptable surfaces, "smart" materials and materials-driven devices.

 

Dr. Vinh Nguyen

vinh@itst.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My current research interest focuses on the terahertz spectroscopy of biological and hard condensed matter. In condensed matter physics, my research focuses on the terahertz coherent control for quantum information process and quantum optics; optoelectronic materials for optical interconnects; and organic solar cells. In biology, my goal is to probe experimentally the picosecond to nanosecond dynamics of biomolecules in solution. These discoveries are shedding light on the collective vibrational motions of macromolecules in their biologically-relevant, aqueous environments.

 

Dr. Andrew Bonham

bonham@gmail.com

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My research, focused at the interface of biochemistry and engineering, is on protein-DNA interactions, aptamer development, and optical and electrochemical sensor design. The knowledge gained in these studies is used to create novel bio-sensors for both general, analytical use and for specific, diagnostic applications.

 

Camile Lawrence

(BMSE)

lawrence@lifesci.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My research program focuses on the folding of simple, single domain proteins and the application of protein folding in the development of optical, protein-based biosensors. In order to explore the influence of certain residues on folding rates, I am measuring folding rates of single mutation variants of a small, well characterized two-state folding protein. My other project involves building an optical biosensor that utilizes two principles: ligand induced folding and fluorescence quenching.

 

Aaron Rowe

(Chemistry)

arowe@chem.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My goal is to develop aptamers, DNA and RNA molecules selected in vitro to bind to specific molecular targets, and to employ them in sensors that can make readings directly in clinical materials. Aptamers are discovered through a molecular elimination tournament called SELEX, an approach that I am trying to make faster and more reliable. For example, I am developing more systematic ways to evaluate the binding properties of the DNA molecules that made it through SELEX, to decide which ones will make good sensors. Likewise, I am working on optimizing and systematizing the approach that we employ to adopt promising aptamers to our electrochemical sensing platform.

Adriana Patterson

(BMSE)

aspatterson@gmail.com

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

My dissertation work centers around the detection of pathogens using our E-DNA biosensing platform. As my general interests include translational medicine and infectious diseases, I am particularly focusing on the application and deployment of our biosensors into clinical samples for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms. There are many parameters to investigate regarding use of our biosensors in real-world clinical samples. For example, clinically relevant numbers of the pathogenic microorganisms in clinical samples are usually very low. Amplification of the organism itself or its genetic information can be used as a detection method but are often slow, expensive, cumbersome and not conducive to low-resource settings. To circumvent these problems, I am currently using our isothermal amplification coupled with our well-characterized E-DNA biosensing platform to build more convenient assays for detection of pathogens.

Herschel Watkins

(BMSE)

watkins@umail.ucsb.edu

Chemistry 1154

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

 

 

Hannah Kallewaard

(Chemistry)

Chemistry 1154

hkallewaard@chem.ucsb.edu

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

 

 

Di Kang

(Chemistry)

Chemistry 1154

dkang@chem.ucsb.edu

(805) 893-5845 (phone)

(805) 893-4120 (Fax)

 

 

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Mail Stop 9510

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA 93106

 

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