P-type ATPases

Like ABC transporters, P-type ATPases (or P-type pumps) are membrane-embedded proteins that use ATP to transport molecules across membranes. They are very different in structure and mechanism from ABC transporters. We focus on export pumps that clear cells from toxic heavy metals.

Toxicity of heavy metals is a huge
environmental and health issue as more and more of these metals pollute water sources and soil. We use a combination of genetic and biochemical tools to study these important pumps and see if we can find a way to harness them to detoxify contaminations of heavy metals.