Research in the Copley lab centers on the molecular evolution of catalysts and metabolic pathways. Enzymes in metabolic pathways are superb catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions by up to 25 orders of magnitude. Many enzymes also catalyze adventitious secondary reactions, simply because active sites are loaded with highly reactive acids, bases, nucleophiles, metal ions, and cofactors. Although these “promiscuous” activities are inefficient, they provide a repertoire of activities that can be drawn upon if conditions change and catalysis of a secondary reaction becomes important for fitness. Projects in the lab seek to identify genetic, genomic, biochemical and physiological factors that influence the potential for evolution of novel activities from promiscuous enzymes. Other projects focus on the assembly of promiscuous activities into novel metabolic pathways and on the mechanisms by which horizontally transferred genes acquired from other organisms can be integrated into a bacterial metabolic network.
keywords
molecular evolution of enzymes and metabolic pathways, the evolutionary potential of promiscuous enzymes in the context of complex metabolic and regulatory networks, mechanistic enzymology
MCDB 4310 - Microbial Genetics and Physiology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines the physiology and genetics of bacteria, Archaea and viruses. Particular emphasis will be on metabolism, regulation of gene expression and protein function, mechanisms of interactions with and manipulation of the environment, and evolution in response to environmental pressures. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 3135 and MCDB 3145 (minimum grade C-) and recommended corequisite of CHEM 4611. Same as MCDB 5310.
MCDB 4980 - Honors Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Provides faculty-supervised research for students who have been approved by the departmental honors committee. Normally taken during the semester before completion of the honors thesis. Recommended prerequisite: MCDB 4840 or comparable research experience, and minimum GPA of 3.20.
MCDB 4990 - Honors Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2023
Involves the preparation and defense of an honors thesis, based on faculty-supervised original research, including final phases of the research project. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 4840 or MCDB 4980 or comparable research experience, and minimum GPA of 3.3 and approval by the MCDB Honors Committee.
MCDB 5310 - Microbial Genetics and Physiology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines the physiology and genetics of bacteria, Archaea and viruses. Particular emphasis will be on metabolism, regulation of gene expression and protein function, mechanisms of interactions with and manipulation of the environment, and evolution in response to environmental pressures. Same as MCDB 4310.
MCDB 6000 - Introduction to Laboratory Methods
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
Introduces methodology and techniques used in biological research. Designed as a tutorial between a few students and one faculty member. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, and to plan and execute experiments in selected areas. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
