Prof. Dr. Michael Nash

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

The goal of the Nash Lab is to understand, design, and produce artificial molecular systems operating at the interface between chemistry, biology, and physics. We study how individual proteins can be rationally designed or artificially evolved in the lab to control their function, such as binding to specific target molecules or catalyzing chemical reactions. Our toolbox includes techniques from protein engineering, high-throughput screening, single-molecule measurement techniques, and stimuli-responsive polymers and hydrogels. The longterm goal is to deploy these engineered protein systems as novel biomedical therapies, diagnostics, and for industrial applications across a broad range of fields from human health to the chemical and agricultural sectors. 

Special Expertise

• Protein engineering
  
• High-throughput screening
  
• Directed evolution
  
• Biophysical characterization techniques
  
• Single-molecule AFM