We are interested in the structure, function, allosteric regulation and engineering of trypsin-like proteases. Our main focus is on thrombin, the key enzyme of blood coagulation and the prototypic allosteric protease. Current work in the lab is aimed at unraveling the molecular determinants of thrombin allostery and the properties of the E*, E and E:Na+ forms. Emphasis is on X-ray structural studies of these forms free or in complex with physiological substrates. Engineering thrombin for anticoagulant activity in vivo is also a major focus of the lab. Our experimental approaches encompass enzyme kinetics (steady state and pre-steady state), thermodynamics (calorimetry), site-directed mutagenesis, protein engineering and X-ray structural biology.

We have postdoctoral positions available. Send CV to enrico@slu.edu