Dr. Erika Plettner

Biography

Erika Plettner is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests focus on Bioorganic Chemistry, particularly in the areas of molecular recognition, binding proteins, pheromones, olfaction, and the enzymes involved in these processes. She studies how proteins in the olfactory system interact with pheromones and aims to understand the molecular interactions that lead to odor discrimination. Her long-term goals include designing pheromone mimics that interfere with natural pheromone olfaction, with potential applications as pest control agents. Additionally, Plettner's work encompasses the study and alteration of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are vital in metabolic processes involving the oxidation of organic substrates, exploring their potential in laboratory synthesis for non-natural substrates.

Research Interests

Experience