Subcellular metabolism

Though ATP -> ADP + Pi rarely spontaneously happens (high activation energy) and is regulated by ATPases, we speculate that ATP production is also spatially regulated. In our lab, we use metabolic FRET sensors to probe how ATP delivery and consumption occurs spatially, as a function of cell activity. Can spatial modulation of energy delivery/consumption change disease outcomes?

Enzymatic Metabolons

It is theorized that enzymatic metabolons speed up the kinetics of chemical reactions in the cell, and has evolved as a mechanism to defeat diffusion, and so that cells can be frugal with high energy substrates. This is a similar idea to the discovery of liquid phase condensates that regulate chemical proximity. However, true metabolons have rarely been demonstrated. We plan to link this subcellular energetic or other enzymatic metabolons or condensates to cell physiological function.

Barrier function

Barrier function is very important in the organism, to functionally separate different compartments. We want to know how the barrier is regulated, structurally, and in terms of use of energy during periods of work.