Sarah Michel, PhD

Our laboratory is interested in the roles of metal ions in biology, particularly the roles of metal ions in homeostasis and toxicity. Current projects include examination of metallo-transcription factors found in the virulent bacteria H. pylori , studies on toxic metal ions and their effects on zinc finger proteins and determination of the role of metal ions in olfaction. These projects should contribute to our understanding of the role of metal ions in a wide range of diseases from cancer to arthritis. We combine modern molecular biology techniques with a battery of biophysical methods including fluorescence anisotropy, UV-visible, NMR and EPR spectroscopies, electrochemistry and surface plasmon resonance to address these research areas.