Current Research

I am from India. After finishing my undergraduate degree in India, I moved to the US for my graduate career. I transferred to Montana State University in the summer of 2005 and have been working towards a Ph.D degree in biochemistry at the Peters Lab. I work on the project that involves study of “The Role of MgATP in Nitrogenase Catalysis” using several spectroscopic techniques, like small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and x-ray diffraction methods. The focus of these studies is to enhance the fundamental understanding of the nitrogenase catalytic mechanism by providing insights into the role of MgATP in the nucleotide dependent conformational changes of Fe protein. My work involves the expression and purification of the native Fe-protein from the wild type A.vinelandii cells for characterization by both solution phase experiments (SAXS) and crystallographic studies. SAXS is used to study the protein in solution, in its most favorable buffer condition and it compliments the x-ray diffraction techniques by allowing the study of states of the protein that are difficult to capture in crystal form. Although the data obtained using SAXS is of low resolution compared to x-ray diffraction methods, it is very helpful is studying conformational changes in a protein as a result of nucleotide binding. For x-ray diffraction techniques, attempts at crystallizing the protein in the presence of nucleotide triphosphate analogs are carried out. Once the crystals are obtained, they are then used to obtain x-ray diffraction data at an x-ray beam source like SSRL (Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratories) in California. What follows after the x-ray diffraction data is obtained can only be experienced and not explained. It's for that thrill of life that I joined in this project and chose to be part of the most happening lab ever. Apart from work, I love to spend time practicing Aikido (click link aside for pictures) and experiencing the best of what Bozeman has to offer.