Thomas Charles Pochapsky

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of a vast number of organic compounds in nature. In humans, the P450s are responsible for steroid hormone biosyntheses, drug metabolism and a variety of other important metabolic roles. We are interested in understanding how these enzymes select for a particular substrate and then direct the oxidation to a specific site on the substrate molecule. Although nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is our primary research tool, we employ a wide variety of techniques (site-directed mutagenesis, enzyme activity assays, organic synthesis) to improve our understanding of these important enzymes.

We are also designing a new class of CYP inhibitors that are more selective than those currently used clinically, which will lead to safer treatments for cancer, TB, fungal infections and nicotine addiction.