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David W. Christianson is the Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the structural and functional studies of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which are vital regulators of cellular functions through reversible acetylation. Over the last fifty years, various classes of proteins involved in this chemical modification, including "writers" (acetyltransferases), "readers" (bromodomain-containing proteins), and "erasers" (HDACs), have been identified. His group investigates metal-dependent HDACs, which require a zinc ion for their catalytic activity, and explores their roles in human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Christianson's work also involves developing selective HDAC inhibitors, which have significant therapeutic potential. Beyond HDACs, his research interests extend to terpenoid cyclases, enzymes that catalyze complex reactions in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, a diverse class of natural products with important pharmacological properties. Through his studies, Christianson aims to uncover the structural basis of enzyme function and contribute to the development of novel drug therapies.
University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA
Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in the Department of Chemistry.
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