Research in the Booker lab centers on the enzymology associated with the biosynthesis of natural products and key cellular molecules, with a particular focus on reactions that involve S-adenosylmethionine and/or iron-sulfur clusters. Specific areas of research involve 1) understanding how sulfur atoms are appended to unactivated carbon centers, as in the biosynthesis of lipoic acid and biotin, as well as the modification of proteins or nucleic acids with methylthio (SCH3) groups;  2) the methylation of unactivated carbon and phosphinate phosphorus centers; and 3) novel uses of S-adenosylmethionine and/or iron-sulfur clusters in catalysis. We use a variety of techniques and strategies to interrogate key questions in these areas, including protein chemistry, mechanistic enzymology, organic synthesis, spectroscopy (electron paramagnetic resonance, UV–visible, and Mössbauer), proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, electrochemistry, and x-ray crystallography. Projects are always developing as we uncover novel mechanisms in this area of research. Click the links below to learn more about our three main projects:

LIPOYL SYNTHASE                RLMN AND CFR

CBL DEPENDENT METHYLASES

Our specific areas of research are always evolving. Here is a list of some new project areas that are in the works:

    1. Understanding how sulfur atoms are appended to unactivated carbon centers
    1. Deciphering the methylation mechanisms of unactivated carbon and phosphinate centers
    1. Uncovering novel uses of SAM and/or iron-sulfur clusters in catalysis
    1. Understand how enzymes perform Csp3-Csp3 coupling reactions
  1. Annotating the function of new Radical SAM enzymes

We use a variety of techniques and strategies to interrogate key questions in these areas including:

protein chemistry, mechanistic enzymology, organic synthesis, spectroscopy (electron paramagnetic resonance, UV–visible, and Mössbauer), proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, electrochemistry, and x-ray crystallograph