Srivatsan Raman

Protein allostery, orthogonal transcriptional systems, programmable synthetic bacteriophages

Our laboratory takes a systems and synthetic biology approach to understanding and designing biology at multiple scales: proteins, microbial transcriptional regulation and metabolic pathways, and bacteriophages. We are interested in understanding the molecular basis of protein allostery, designing allosteric small molecule biosensors, understanding fundamental principles of bacterial transcription regulation and designing new transcriptional systems, and designing bacteriophages with new host specificities and regulation. Our both basic and applied work can aid in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the cleanup of environmental disasters (bioremediation), the production of biofuels, and the understanding of the many diseases caused by protein defects.

To address these questions, we leverage computational protein design (Rosetta), next-generation DNA synthesis and sequencing, and highly multiplexed selection and screening assays. We apply machine learning principles and structural modeling on these large datasets to elucidate underlying relationships between sequence, structure and function and to improve design of new function. I am also affiliated with the Department of Bacteriology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.