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Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Department of Chemical Physiology
Faculty, Kellogg School of Science and Technology

Research Focus

Our laboratory focuses on the identification of small molecule modulators of protein function as novel foundations for therapeutics and as tools for elucidating functional roles of enzymes in biological processes. The Wolan lab employs an arsenal of biophysical and cellular methods to identify new protein targets, improve and develop high throughput screening technology and validate potential lead molecules. Specifically, our efforts target candidate proteins for the identification of small molecule activators and the inhibition of bacterial enzymes involved in the proliferation of human disease.

Functional Proteomics of Human Microbiomes and Disease

Associations between human microbial environments and the onset of human diseases are rapidly materializing. Elucidation of the symbiotic relationships that have evolved between humans and microbes, and of the associated diseases, will provide a wealth of invaluable information that can be exploited in drug discovery. We employ functional proteomics towards the identification of bacterial proteins implicated in disease and the subsequent discovery and iterative design of small molecule regulators of enzyme activity. Our ultimate goal is the moderation of microbiome distribution, activity and host responses via external small molecule intervention as potential foundations for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Education

B.S., Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, 1998
Ph.D., Macromolecular and Cellular Structure and Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 2004

Selected References

Gonzalez-Paez, G.E., Wolan, D.W. 2012. Ultrahigh and High Resolution Structures and Mutational Analysis of Monomeric Streptococcus pyogenes SpeB Reveal a Functional Role for the Glycine-rich C-terminal Loop. J. Biol. Chem. 287, 24412-26.

Wolan, D.W., Zorn, J.A., Gray, D., Wells, J.A. 2009. “Small molecule activators of a proenzyme.” Science 326, 853-858.