Dr. Hoff's Lab

We use photoreceptor proteins as model systems for studying protein folding, function, and signaling, and have started to explore biotechnological applications for these proteins. Our long-term goal is to uncover fundamental principles in these processes, and to develop biosensors with useful applications. In addition, we are developing novel highly sensitive, specific, and fast biodetection devices based on engineered proteins that allow a direct optical readout.

 

This research uses a wide range of approaches, from genomic studies to molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, protein spectroscopy and biophysics. We discovered that the activation of photoactive yellow protein (PYP), a bacterial blue-light receptor from the halophilic purple sulfur bacterium Halorhodopsira halophila, involves partial unfolding, providing an unexpected link between signaling and protein folding. We are analyzing the genome from H. halophila, and are performing bioinformatics-guided experiments to understand its extremophilic physiology. We use a range of spectroscopic approaches to unravel the fundamental mechanisms in the activation of PYP, and have developed novel high-throughput protein biophysics approaches to explore protein structure-function relationships. Our single-molecule force spectroscopy measurements allow us to apply a force to unfold the protein along a specific axis, determined by the position of introduced Cys residues. In addition, we are developing novel highly sensitive, specific, and fast biodetection devices based on engineered proteins that allow a direct optical readout.