Professor Alexander Deiters' research focusses on synthetic and chemical biology, specifically the engineering of proteins, nucleic acids, and cellular systems with the goal of understanding and improving human health. His lab has expanded the genetic code of mammalian cells and aquatic embryos, and Alex research includes developing optogenetic methods for precise control of gene and protein function, enabling scientists to manipulate biological pathways with light. Examples include the spatial and temporal control of gene editing and of signaling cascades in cells and animals. Furthermore, his group applies chemical approaches to the engineering of cell surfaces, such as the reprogramming of immune cells and the selective labeling of cancer cells.
Rational Design of Stapled Covalent Peptide Modifiers of Oncoprotein E6 from Human Papillomavirus.
Emanuelson C, Naro Y, Shade O, Liu M, Khare SD, Deiters A. ACS Chem Biol. 2025, 20, 3, 746-757
"Optogenetics with Atomic Precision─A Comprehensive Review of Optical Control of Protein Function through Genetic Code Expansion"
Charette M, Rosenblum C, Shade O, Deiters A. Chem Rev. 2025, 125, 4, 1663-1717
"Investigating protein degradability through site-specific ubiquitin ligase recruitment"
Shade O, Ryan A, Belsito G, Deiters A. RSC Chem Biol. 2024, 13, 6, 2, 240-248
"DNA Logic Gates for Small Molecule Activation Circuits in Cells"
Emanuelson C, Bardhan A, Deiters A. ACS Synth Biol. 2024, 13, 2, 538-545
"Expanding the Genetic Code of Xenopus laevis Embryos"
Brown W, Davidson LA, Deiters A. ACS Chem Biol. 2025, 19, 2, 516-525
"Isoform-specific optical activation of kinase function reveals p38-ERK signaling crosstalk"
Zhou W, Ryan A, Janosko CP, Shoger KE, Haugh JM, Gottschalk RA, Deiters A. RSC Chem Biol. 2023, 4, 10, 765-773