Snapshots of an enzyme in action: structural and mechanistic studies on the catalytic cycle of Escherichia coli ketol-acid reductoisomerase (2002-2004)

Enzymes are required for almost every process that occurs in a living organism. For this reason, understanding how enzymes work is essential if we are to understand life itself. In this project we will investigate the enzyme KARI by capturing a series of snapshots of its atomic structure as it progresses through its working cycle. In addition, we will make a series of small alterations to the atomic structure that will allow us to understand how the individual parts work together.''