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Address:
Headshot of Ben Caldwell

B.S., Randolph-Macon College; Ph.D., University of Virginia

Research Interests:

My research interests are focused on studying the interaction of small molecules with proteins, as well as protein-protein interactions. Our goal is to examine the structural features that influence molecular binding processes on the surfaces of proteins. We use spectrophotometric methods (fluorescence, UV/Vis) and kinetics to observe and monitor these interactions. For example, small molecules such as GTP can activate or deactivate certain cellular pathways by interacting with GTP binding proteins (G-proteins) which then activate or inactivate other proteins creating a cascade-like effect that is mediated primarily through protein-protein interactions. Many intracellular cellular activities are controlled by these types of cascades, including cellular division which can be implicated in particular types of cancer, or other disease states such as whooping cough or pertussis.