The Weiss Lab at UCI
Single molecule bioelectronics. Using nanometer-scale bioelectronics, we listen to single enzymes catalyze reactions in real-time. Such observations can decipher key steps in the mechanism of proteins like DNA polymerase (shown) and provide new tools for biotechnology.
Organic synthesis. We develop fast, scalable and easy routes to compounds required for complex experiments in chemical biology (e.g., the unnatural amino acid azidophenylalanine shown above).
Protein engineering. We engineer proteins to dissect how they work and equip them with powerful new capabilities. For example, we trained the hyper-specific protease (cyan) found in Botox (above) to cut a new substrate with potential new therapeutic applications.
In vivo biosensors. With Prof. Elliot Botvinick and Team, we are develope implantable biosensors to monitor the concentrations of molecules in living organisms. We often use bacteriophage (shown) for display-based engineering.