Dr. Ken Keiler

Biography

Ken Keiler received a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Biology from MIT. After completing postdoctoral studies with Pierre Chambon in Strasbourg, France, and Lucy Shapiro at Stanford, he established his own lab at Penn State University in 2002. In 2024, he moved his lab to the University of Texas at Austin. Keiler's research focuses on understanding protein quality control, stress responses, and homeostasis. His work addresses the mechanisms by which stalled ribosomes are rescued through trans-translation and alternative pathways, aiming to characterize fundamental biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology systems. The lab investigates how cells ensure protein quality and maintain synthesis capacity amidst errors in transcription and translation, particularly in bacteria, where issues during these processes can lead to premature termination of translation. Keiler's research has contributed to the identification of small-molecule inhibitors of trans-translation, which presents novel opportunities for translational research and antibiotic development. His interest also extends to mitochondrial ribosome rescue and the exploration of candidate targets for antibiotic development through collaborations. Keiler's expertise includes biochemistry, infectious diseases, immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology.

Research Interests

Experience