Dr. Stephen Mills, PhD

Research Interests

The main research focus in the Mills lab is the study of what enzymes do and how they do it. We are particularly interested in enzymes whose function has not been determined, and especially those which also contain metals. Recently, we have been using the curriculum developed by the BASIL community to guide our research. (See the curriculum.) The types of proteins we investigate vary, but include serine hydrolases, metallohydrolases, and other enzymes associated with pathogenic organisms or cancer.

Research in my lab addresses how to evaluate what an enzyme does, how do metals get into proteins and what do they do once they are there (when applicable) We often start with several bioinformatic tools to identify good proteins to work on and to predict what these proteins might do. Then, we use a variety of wet-lab techniques to evaluate our predictions about protein function. These techniques include enzyme kinetics, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, metal analysis, and gel-shift assays. Most of the proteins we are studying are not available for purchase, so we express and purify the proteins ourselves.

Students doing research with me will get extensive training in enzyme kinetics, and protein expression and purification. They will learn molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gene cloning, DNA purification, restriction analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, and bacterial transformation. They will use various spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. They will be exposed to basic bioinformatic techniques and software. They will learn strategies for metal replacement proteins and analysis of metal content in proteins. They may also learn some basic techniques for working with proteins anaerobically.

Expertise

Biochemistry, Enzymology