Organic Seminar - Jeremy Baskin

Phospholipids are the major constituents of cellular membranes and also important signaling molecules. Because these hydrophobic metabolites are not directly genetically encoded, their detection and precise manipulation with traditional genetic methods is challenging. Therefore, chemical methods for detecting the biosynthesis and intracellular transport of lipids, as well as those for modulating their levels with a high degree of spatiotemporal control, are urgently needed. I will highlight our latest advances in applying bioorthogonal chemistry, activity-based imaging, protein engineering, directed evolution, and optogenetics toward the development of small molecule-based tools for visualizing phospholipid biosynthesis and interorganelle transport. As well, I will describe light-controlled enzymes termed membrane editors for precise manipulation of the lipid composition of target organelle membranes in live cells, with a focus throughout on strategies for tool development and biological applications to reveal insights into regulation of lipid metabolism, transport, signaling, and interactions with the proteome.