|
C. Vijaya Kumar
|
(b. 1953)
Visiting Professor, Stanford University, 2003
Visiting Scholar Princeton University, 1995-1996
Research Associate, Merck Faculty Development Awardee
1988-90
Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University, 1984-88
Radiation Laboratory, University Notre Dame, 1982-1984
Ph. D., Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 1982
|
Challa Vijaya
Kumar obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of
Technology Kanpur in 1982 and worked as Postdoctoral
Fellow at the University of Notre Dame for two years.
After being a research associate at the Columbia University
for four years he joined the University of Connecticut
faculty in 1988. He is currently the Professor of Biological
and Physical Chemistry. His research interests include
DNA/RNA binders, Biocatalytic Nanomaterials, and Protein
Photoscissors.
Research Interests:
Our central interest is in the area of biocatalytic nanomaterials.
Our major theme is the application of basic principles
of chemistry to important problems in biology. There are
three primary foci in our research.
DNA and RNA-binders - In one project, we are examining
how small molecules bind to specific sites on nucleic
acids. The resulting new knowledge is being used to
design novel classes of DNA/RNA-binders for probing
nucleic acid structure and function. These probes have
a high potential for chemotherapeutic applications.
Protein Scissors - We are developing
protein scissors to footprint ligand binding sites on
proteins. The scissors are activated by light or heat
to cleave the peptide backbone, at specific sites. We
are using such probes to identify ligand binding sites
on proteins such as ATP binding sites. These protein
scissors have a high potential for photochemotherapy.
Enzyme-Inorganic nanoMaterials
- We are using the new knowledge obtained in
the above projects to build novel biocatalysts. We encapsulate
enzymes between the inorganic layered materials (wafers)
and such enzymes are unusually stabilized by the inorganic
layers. We find that such biocatalysts can function
near the boiling point of water. This is very unusual,
but very exciting finding.
We are using the DNA/RNA-binders to assemble enzymes
along the DNA helix, on these wafers, for biocatalytic
applications. The protein scissors, discussed above,
are useful to determine enzyme orientation on these
wafers.
In the near future, we hope to encapsulate enzymes,
DNA, RNA and other biological components in inorganic
nano/micro-capsules to function as inorganic life forms.
|
|
|
