Return to Calendar

The Cheminar

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Add to Calendar 2023-02-28 11:00:00 2023-02-28 12:00:00 The Cheminar Understanding Protease Function through Protein Redesign Teaster Baird, Jr. Ph.D. Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry San Francisco State University Tuesday Feb. 28, 11 a.m.–noon Classroom Building CR 170 Decades of research on the classical serine proteases has made significant contributions to biochemists’ understanding of enzymatic catalysis, enzyme mechanisms, and structure-function relationships in proteins and enzymes. Consequently, the wealth of data available provides a solid background and foundation to creatively explore these areas in greater depth and detail. In my laboratory at San Francisco State University, we use the canonical serine protease trypsin as a model to explore the molecular details of catalysis, substrate recognition and enzyme-inhibitor interactions of serine proteases through biochemical, biophysical and computational approaches. I have found this system is to be one that is excellent for undergraduates and master’s students to gain practical, relevant and transferable knowledge and training in protein biochemistry. In my presentation, I will discuss the work that we have done with trypsin and describe how the research evolved precisely because things did not go as expected. If time permits, I will share some details of my personal journey in science. About the Speaker Dr. Teaster Baird, Jr. earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University and went on to do a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Baird joined the San Francisco State University Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry where he was a faculty member for 15 years. Following that, he served as interim chair and then chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry until he became associate dean of the College of Science & Engineering in 2022. An expert in protein biochemistry, he has taught and mentored hundreds of students in the classroom and lab — many of whom have gone on to excellent Ph.D. programs and careers in chemical and biomedical sciences. As PI or co-PI, he has been awarded > $44M in grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other agencies to support his research activities and student training efforts. Dr. Baird describes himself as a teacher by nature and strives to make science accessible, understandable and equitable. In recognition of his efforts in science education and communication, Dr. Baird was awarded the San Francisco State University Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching in 2015. In 2021, he was selected as an inaugural fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in 2021, an honor reserved for the society’s most distinguished members. Join on Zoom: https://pacific.zoom.us/j/93581261718 Zoom Meeting ID: 935 8126 1718 One tap mobile: +16699009128,,93581261718# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,93581261718# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 935 8126 1718 Find your local number: https://pacific.zoom.us/u/axmW6NT09 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95211, USA College of the Pacific College of the Pacific America/Los_Angeles public

Understanding Protease Function through Protein Redesign

Teaster Baird, Jr. Ph.D.
Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
San Francisco State University

Tuesday Feb. 28, 11 a.m.–noon
Classroom Building CR 170

Decades of research on the classical serine proteases has made significant contributions to biochemists’ understanding of enzymatic catalysis, enzyme mechanisms, and structure-function relationships in proteins and enzymes. Consequently, the wealth of data available provides a solid background and foundation to creatively explore these areas in greater depth and detail. In my laboratory at San Francisco State University, we use the canonical serine protease trypsin as a model to explore the molecular details of catalysis, substrate recognition and enzyme-inhibitor interactions of serine proteases through biochemical, biophysical and computational approaches. I have found this system is to be one that is excellent for undergraduates and master’s students to gain practical, relevant and transferable knowledge and training in protein biochemistry. In my presentation, I will discuss the work that we have done with trypsin and describe how the research evolved precisely because things did not go as expected. If time permits, I will share some details of my personal journey in science.

About the Speaker

Dr. Teaster Baird, Jr. earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University and went on to do a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Baird joined the San Francisco State University Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry where he was a faculty member for 15 years. Following that, he served as interim chair and then chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry until he became associate dean of the College of Science & Engineering in 2022. An expert in protein biochemistry, he has taught and mentored hundreds of students in the classroom and lab — many of whom have gone on to excellent Ph.D. programs and careers in chemical and biomedical sciences. As PI or co-PI, he has been awarded > $44M in grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other agencies to support his research activities and student training efforts. Dr. Baird describes himself as a teacher by nature and strives to make science accessible, understandable and equitable. In recognition of his efforts in science education and communication, Dr. Baird was awarded the San Francisco State University Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching in 2015. In 2021, he was selected as an inaugural fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in 2021, an honor reserved for the society’s most distinguished members.