The Tomich laboratory designs and characterizes synthetic peptides for potential uses as drugs or renewable biomaterials. The lab employs a number of biologic, synthetic, analytic and physical methods to make these characterizations.
We are using chemical and biochemical methods to study the functions of cancer-relevant peptidases. A second area examines channel proteins, which form selective pores in the membranes that surround all cells, and that control the movement of some molecules into and out of the cell. They are involved in growth regulation, and in many cases, abnormalities in their function result in cancer. Our principle focus is on chloride selective channels.
Research: Plant Pathology – Studies how transcription factors—regulators of cell growth involved in many cancers—are themselves regulated
Expertise:
- Self-assembling Amphipathic peptides