Karen Allen, PhD

Professor (Chemistry, MSE)

Office 590 Commonwealth Ave, SCI 299
Email drkallen@bu.edu
Phone 617-353-5548
Website Allen Group Home Page

Research Areas

The Allen Group investigates the structure, function, and catalytic properties of enzymes. Their insights into these essential proteins guide the design of specialized molecules and enzymes to aid in drug discovery and in the development of tools that assist in protein studies. The Allen Group researchers conduct their studies using X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy, enzymology, and bioinformatics and routinely collaborate with leading laboratories at other universities.
Structure/Function/Catalytic Studies investigate the properties of specific enzymes in the haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase (HAD) Superfamily and the Hot Dog Thioesterase Superfamily. The HAD studies aim to develop an understanding of enzyme evolution. The Hot Dog thioestearse (found in eukaryotes, bacteria, and archea) studies focus on the biological functions of this pervasive domain. (With the Dunaway-Mariano Group, University of New Mexico)
Drug Discovery Studies aim to develop inhibitors against the potent neurotoxin produced by the soil-dwelling bacterium Clostridium botulinum (BoNT). These inhibitors are crucial because these toxins have high potential for use in biological weapons. (With the Tzipori Group, Tufts University)
Tool Discovery Studies develop multi-tasking, easy-to-use Lanthanide Binding Tags (LBTs). LBTs consist of 17 amino-acids which have minimal impact on the structures and functions of the proteins they help study. (With the Imperiali Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Honors and Awards

Member of American Chemical Society, American Crystallographic Association, & American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Program Chair, XXI Enzyme Mechanism Conference
Program Chair, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Biological Chemistry Division
Contributor, Faculty of 1000
Co-Chair, Gordon Research Conference, Enzymes, Coenzymes and Metabolic Pathways

Additional Affiliations

Division of Materials Science & Engineering

Department or Division: Materials Science & Engineering

Affiliation: Primary & Affiliated Faculty

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