Roberto A. CHICA

Home Page:

http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rchica/

Keywords:

Organic and Biological Chemistry
Bio-organic chemistry, protein engineering, computational protein design, biocatalysis, enzymes, fluorescent proteins, biochemistry, molecular modelling

Research Interests:

Dr. Chica specializes in the development of novel proteins with useful properties for their application in chemistry. In particular, he is interested in developing new protein-based biocatalysts for the asymmetric synthesis of D-amino acids as well as red fluorescent proteins for their application in whole-body imaging. The methodology used by Dr. Chica involves using computational protein design algorithms to search through the vastness of sequence space to help predict protein sequences that are compatible with the desired protein fold and function. His multidisciplinary research program encompasses activities such as experimental protein chemistry, enzymology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and molecular modelling.