Susan Powers-Lee

Susan Powers-Lee

Professor Emeritus

Expertise:

  • Enzyme Structure And Function, Strategies And Initiatives To Enhance STEM Learning, Strategies And Initiatives To Enhance Undergraduate Retention And Graduation

About Susan Powers-Lee

Prof. Powers-Lee’s scholarship is currently focused on strategies and initiatives to enhance STEM learning. Her research interests also include strategies and initiatives to enhance undergraduate retention and graduation. Her lab has studied how protein structures have evolved to catalyze unique enzymatic activities, and to participate in a diverse set of intracellular communications, with a focus on human detoxification of ammonia and its control mechanisms. Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS), which catalyzes the entry and regulated step of the urea cycle, is known to be the primary site of ammonia detoxification. These studies have utilized structural, biochemical, molecular and bioinformatics techniques to define the structure and function of human CPS and to relate these parameters to those of potential evolutionary relatives. Prof. Powers-Lee’s lab has also reverse engineered various CPSs by creating site-directed mutants, truncated constructions and chimeras. Additionally, studies have been aimed at elucidation of the intramitochondrial environment for CPS and its effect on the enzyme’s structure and function. Applications of these studies include developing treatments for hepatitis and other disorders in which liver function is temporarily or permanently altered.

Contact

Mailing Address:

134 MU (Mugar Life Sciences Building), Boston, MA 02115

Your Tomorrow Starts Here.Learn More Today.