Broadening the scope of bioluminescence

 Bioluminescence results from the chemical generation of light that occurs when a luciferase enzyme oxidizes its small molecule luciferin substrate. We have synthesized a wide variety of novel luciferin substrates designed to improve the ability to detect bioluminescence signals. In parallel, we have mutated luciferases to best accommodate these substrates, and have also found that fatty acyl-CoA synthetases, homologous proteins in non-luminescent insects such as the fruit fly, can act as luciferases. Projects in the lab range from basic molecular-level biochemical, chemical, and evolutionary studies of luciferases and luciferins, to powerful applications such as imaging of enzyme activity and drug action in the brains of live mice.  

Relevant Publications

list here