University of Chicago · BiologyThornton Evolution Lab
Joseph W Thornton · Chicago, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Joseph Thornton's lab at the University of Chicago focuses on understanding how proteins evolve and acquire new functions over time. Utilizing innovative techniques like ancestral protein reconstruction, the team examines the genetic and biochemical changes that lead to complex features in proteins, including their ability to interact in large complexes and respond to regulatory signals. Their research aims to reveal the historical pathways of protein evolution and how they can inform our understanding of health and disease.
protein evolutionmolecular evolutionanatomical protein reconstructionallosteric regulationmulti-protein complexesepistasisprotein biochemistrydeep mutational scanningfunctional fitness
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the genetic causes of complex protein features.
AIM 02Examine the role of historical mutations in protein evolution.
AIM 03Measure functional fitness effects of mutations in proteins.
AIM 04Analyze epistatic interactions among protein substitutions.
AIM 05Elucidate the biophysical mechanisms that mediate evolutionary changes.
Skills the Lab Values
protein purificationmolecular cloningcell culturehigh-throughput sequencingdeep mutational scanningprotein assaysbiochemical characterizationdata analysis with Pythonquantitative fitness assays
Output against the department
Publications130bottom 47% of dept.551st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 31% of dept.320th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
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