Courses Taught
CHEM 151 – General ChemistrySpecial Interests and Activities
Abby Hodges' research interests lie in the ability of chemistry to provide a molecular understanding of the macromolecular interactions of biological systems, and the development of tools that can probe those interactions. She is specifically intrigued by the impact a few key amino acid residues can have on the overall structure and function of individual protein-protein interfaces and, subsequently, the effect in the processes they control.
The regulation of DNA transcription requires many successful protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions for the normal progression of biological pathways. However, despite the large number of proteins and enzymes involved in transcriptional activity, little is known about the structure of most of the protein-protein interfaces involved. Her research explores the transcriptional repressor protein REST, the current mechanistic model, and the known structural data and the REST•mSin3 complex. Through her research program she seeks to enhance the information about this protein-protein interaction in order to better guide the development of artificial regulators.
The regulation of DNA transcription requires many successful protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions for the normal progression of biological pathways. However, despite the large number of proteins and enzymes involved in transcriptional activity, little is known about the structure of most of the protein-protein interfaces involved. Her research explores the transcriptional repressor protein REST, the current mechanistic model, and the known structural data and the REST•mSin3 complex. Through her research program she seeks to enhance the information about this protein-protein interaction in order to better guide the development of artificial regulators.
