Michael G. Malkowski PhD
Michael G. Malkowski
PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Structural Biology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Metalloenzymes; Protein Function and Structure
Professional Summary:
The major focus of my research program is to apply structural biology approaches to investigate structure-function relationships of proteins with significant medical relevance. We utilize a myriad of biophysical and biochemical technologies for our investigations. In general, X-ray crystallography is the main method used to elucidate the three-dimensional architecture of the protein. We then wed structure with function by carrying out functional and biophysical characterizations of the protein in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis. Insights derived from these studies help us understand: how changes in protein sequence and structure are revealed at the biochemical, cellular, and organismal level; how drug compounds and small molecules modulate enzyme activity; and how the interplay between structure and function impacts fundamental biomedical processes that underlie healthy and diseased states.
A long-standing research interest within my laboratory has been on the characterization of enzymes that derivatize the acyl chains of lipid substrates. The resulting products play important structural roles in the stabilization and fluidity of biological membranes and serve as precursors in the production of bioactive lipids. Altered production of these lipid messengers results in the dysregulation of physiological processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes, obesity, leukodystrophies, inflammation, and many cancers. Current targets include the membrane-associated cyclooxygenase and fatty acid dioxygenase enzymes, as well as integral membrane fatty acid hydroxylase and desaturase enzymes.
We have also recently initiated collaborative studies to examine the structure-function relationships of novel virulence factors in Treponema denticola, one of the major virulent pathogens associated with chronic periodontitis. These pathogens have evolved complex mechanisms to evade host immune defenses, which allow them to thrive in the oral cavity. Our current focus is on the structural characterization of sialidase and cysteine protease enzymes.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Biochemistry, Wayne State University (1997)
- BS, Chemistry, University of Detroit, Magna Cum Laude (1991)
Employment:
- Department Chair, Structural Biology, University of Buffalo (2014-present)
- Professor, Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo (2014-present)
- Principal Research Scientist, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (2012–2017)
- Research Assistant Professor, Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo (2002–2014)
- Senior Research Scientist, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (2007–2012)
- Research Scientist, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (2001–2007)
- NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Biochemistry, Michigan State University (1997–2001)
Awards and Honors:
- Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Award (2011)
- Arthritis Investigator Award, Arthritis Foundation (2005)
- NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institutes of Health (1999)
- NIH Predoctoral Training Fellowship, Wayne State University (1993)
- Merck Index Award, Outstanding Chemistry Student, University of Detroit (1991)
- Presidential Scholarship, University of Detroit, Detroit, MI (1987)
Research Expertise:
- Cyclooxygenase Catalysis and Inhibition: One of the most important groups of lipid second messengers is the eicosanoid class, derived from the oxygenation of arachidonic acid by the cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2). COX-1 and COX-2 are the targets of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 selective inhibitors. My laboratory is a leader within the field in utilizing X-ray crystallographic methods coupled with mutagenesis, functional and biophysical characterizations to understand the mechanistic basis of substrate and inhibitor binding in COX-1 and COX-2, as well as substrate selective oxygenation, inhibition, and allosteric regulation in COX-2.
- Membrane Proteins: My lab has technical expertise in the expression, detergent solubilization, and purification of membrane-associated and integral membrane proteins for subsequent functional, biophysical, and structural characterization.
- Protein Production: My lab has technical expertise in the expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins in bacterial, yeast, and insect cell expression hosts. We also have expertise in the purification of proteins using various modes of column chromatography.
- Structural Biology
- X-Ray Crystallography: My lab has technical expertise in all aspects of protein structure determination using X-ray crystallographic methods, including high-throughput crystallization screening and optimization, diffraction data collection, phasing (MIR and MAD), refinement, and model building.
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- April 2019–March 2024
Exploring New Virulence Factors of the Oral Spirochete Treponema denticola
National Institutes of Health
Role: Co-Principal Investigator - September 2017–August 2020
Community Crystallization Resource for Biological Macromolecules
National Institutes of Health/NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator - August 2015–July 2019
Structure and Dynamics of Cyclooxygenase Catalysis and Inhibition
NIH/NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator - April 2013–March 2017
Characterization of Treponema pallidum Rare Outer Membrane Proteins
National Institutes of Health/NIAID
Role: Co-Investigator - July 2010–June 2015
Multi-Level Optimization of Membrane Proteins for Crystallography
NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator - September 2011–May 2015
Catalysis by Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthases
NIGMS
Role: Co-Investigator - January 2008–December 2012
T. pallidum Membrane Immunogènes and Anti-Oxidant Defense
National Institutes of Health/NIAID
Role: Co-Investigator - February 2007–January 2012
Structure Biology of Oxylipin Biosynthesis
NIH/NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Smith WL, Malkowski MG. (2019) Interactions of fatty acids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and coxibs with the catalytic and allosteric subunits of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2. J Biol Chem (Feb), 294(5): 1697-1705.
- Dong L, Yuan C, Orlando BJ, Malkowski MG, Smith WL. (2016) Fatty Acid Binding to the Allosteric Subunit of Cyclooxygenase-2 Relieves a Tonic Inhibition of the Catalytic Subunit. J Biol Chem (Dec), 291(49): 25641-25655.
- Lucido MJ, Orlando BJ, Vecchio AJ, Malkowski MG. (2016) Crystal Structure of Aspirin-Acetylated Human Cyclooxygenase-2: Insight into the Formation of Products with Reversed Stereochemistry. Biochemistry (Mar), 55(8): 1226-1238.
- Orlando BJ, Borbat PP, Georgieva ER, Freed JH, Malkowski MG. (2015) Pulsed Dipolar Spectroscopy Reveals That Tyrosyl Radicals Are Generated in Both Monomers of the Cyclooxygenase-2 Dimer. Biochemistry (Dec), 54(50): 7309-7312.
- Zhu G, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Connelly SM, Dumont ME, Malkowski MG. (2015) The crystal structure of an integral membrane fatty acid a-hydroxylase. J Biol Chem (Dec), 290(50): 29820-29833.
- Orlando BJ, McDougle DR, Lucido MJ, Eng ET, Graham LA, Schneider C, Stokes DL, Das A, Malkowski MG. (2014) Cyclooxygenase-2 catalysis and inhibition in lipid bilayer nanodiscs. Arch Biochem Biophys (Mar), 546: 33-40.
- Pryor EE, Horanyi PS, Clark KM, Fedoriw N, Connelly SM, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Zhu G, Malkowski MG, Wiener MC, Dumont ME. (2013) Structure of the integral membrane protein CAAX protease Ste24p. Science (Mar), 339(6127): 1600-1604.
- Goulah CC, Zhu G, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG. (2013) The Crystal Structure of a-Dioxygenase Provides Insight into Diversity in the Cyclooxygenase-Peroxidase Superfamily. Biochemistry (Feb), 52(8): 1364-1372.
- Vecchio AJ, Malkowski MG. (2011) The structural basis of endocannabinoid oxygenation by cyclooxygenase-2. J Biol Chem (Jun), 286(23): 20736-20745.
- Dong L, Vecchio AJ, Sharma NP, Jurban BJ, Malkowski MG, Smith WL. (2011) Human cyclooxygenase-2 is a sequence homodimer that functions as a conformational heterodimer. J Biol Chem (May), 286(21): 19035-19046.
- Vecchio AJ, Simmons DM, Malkowski MG. (2010) Structural basis of fatty acid substrate binding to cyclooxygenase-2. J Biol Chem (Jul), 285(29): 22152-22163.
- Malkowski MG, Ginell SL, Smith WL, Garavito RM. (2000) The productive conformation of arachidonic acid bound to prostaglandin synthase. Science (Sep), 289(5486): 1933-1937.
- Dong L, Malkowski MG. (2023) Defining the Conformational Ensembles Associated with Ligand Binding to Cyclooxygenase-2. Biochemistry (Oct), 62: 3134-3144.
- Clark ND, Pham C, Kurniyati K, Sze CW, Coleman L, Fu Q, Zhang S, Malkowski MG, Li C. (2023) Functional and structural analyses reveal that a dual domain sialidase protects bacteria from complement killing through desialylation of complement factors. PLoS pathogens (Sep), 19(9): e1011674. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1011674
- Kurniyati K, Chang Y, Guo W, Liu J, Malkowski MG, Li C. (2023) Anti-s28 Factor FlgM Regulates Flagellin Gene Expression and Flagellar Polarity of Treponema denticola. Journal of bacteriology (Feb), 205(2): e0046322. doi:10.1128/jb.00463-22
- Chan MV, Hayman MA, Sivapalaratnam S, Crescente M, Allan HE, Edin ML, Zeldin DC, Milne GL, Stephens J, Greene D, Hanif M, O. (2021) Identification of a homozygous recessive variant in PTGS1 resulting in a congenital aspirin-like defect in platelet function. Haematologica (Mar), 106(5): 1423-1432. doi:10.3324/haematol.2019.235895
- Yadav AK, Reinhardt CJ, Arango AS, Huff HC, Dong L, Malkowski MG, Das A, Tajkhorshid E, Chan J. (2020) An Activity-Based Sensing Approach for the Detection of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Live Cells. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) (Feb), 59(8): 3307-3314. doi:10.1002/anie.201914845
- Dong L, Anderson AJ, Malkowski MG. (2019) Arg-513 and Leu-531 Are Key Residues Governing Time-Dependent Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 by Aspirin and Celebrex. Biochemistry (Sep), 58(38): 3990-4002.
- Zhang K, Qin Z, Chang Y, Liu J, Malkowski MG, Shipa S, Li L, Qiu W, Zhang JR, Li C. (2019) Analysis of a flagellar filament cap mutant reveals that HtrA serine protease degrades unfolded flagellin protein in the periplasm of Borrelia burgdorferi. Mol Microbiol (Mar), 111(6): 1652-1670.
- Gimenez-Bastida JA, Boeglin WE, Boutaud O, Malkowski MG, Schneider C. (2019) Residual cyclooxygenase activity of aspirin-acetylated COX-2 forms 15 R-prostaglandins that inhibit platelet aggregation. FASEB J (Jan), 33(1): 1033-1041.
- Perez AC, Johnson A, Chen Z, Wilding GE, Malkowski MG, Murphy TF. (2018) Mapping protective regions on a three-dimensional model of the Moraxella catarrhalis vaccine antigen, Oligopeptide Permease A. Infect Immun (Feb), 86(3)
- Murphy TF, Brauer AL, Johnson A, Wilding GE, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG. (2017) A Cation-binding Surface Protein as a Vaccine Antigen to Prevent Moraxella catarrhalis Otitis Media and Infections in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Clin Vaccine Immunol (Jun), 24(9)
- Orlando BJ, Malkowski MG. (2016) Crystal structure of rofecoxib bound to human cyclooxygenase-2. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun (Oct), 72(Pt 10): 772-776.
- Orlando BJ, Malkowski MG. (2016) Substrate-selective Inhibition of Cyclooxygeanse-2 by Fenamic Acid Derivatives Is Dependent on Peroxide Tone. J Biol Chem (Jul), 291(29): 15069-15081.
- Murphy TF, Kirkham C, Johnson A, Brauer AL, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG. (2016) Sulfate-binding protein, CysP, is a candidate vaccine antigen of Moraxella catarrhalis. Vaccine (Jul), 34(33): 3855-3861.
- Otsuka T, Kirkham C, Brauer A, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG, Murphy TF. (2016) The Vaccine Candidate Substrate Binding Protein SBP2 Plays a Key Role in Arginine Uptake, Which Is Required for Growth of Moraxella catarrhalis. Infect Immun (Feb), 84(2): 432-438.
- Otsuka T, Kirkham C, Brauer A, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG, Murphy TF. (2015) The Vaccine Candidate, Substrate Binding Protein SBP2, Plays a Key Role in Arginine Uptake, which is Required for Growth of Moraxella catarrhalis. Infect Immun (Nov), 84(2): 432-438.
- Bauer WJ, Luthra A, Zhu G, Radolf JD, Malkowski MG, Caimano MJ. (2015) Structural characterization and modeling of the Borrelia burgdorferi hybrid histidine kinase Hk1 periplasmic sensor: A system for sensing small molecules associated with tick feeding. J Struct Biol (Oct), 192(1): 48-58.
- Anand A, LeDoyt M, Karanian C, Luthra A, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG, Puthenveetil R, Vinogradova O, Radolf JD. (2015) Bipartite Topology of Treponema pallidum Repeat Proteins C/D and I: OUTER MEMBRANE INSERTION, TRIMERIZATION, AND PORIN FUNCTION REQUIRE A C-TERMINAL ß-BARREL DOMAIN. J Biol Chem (May), 290(19): 12313-12331.
- Orlando BJ, Lucido MJ, Malkowski MG. (2015) The structure of ibuprofen bound to cyclooxygenase-2. J Struct Biol (Jan), 189(1): 62-66.
- Jones MM, Johnson A, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Kirkham C, Brauer AL, Malkowski MG, Murphy TF. (2014) Role of the oligopeptide permease ABC Transporter of Moraxella catarrhalis in nutrient acquisition and persistence in the respiratory tract. Infect Immun (Nov), 82(11): 4758-4766.
- Zhu G, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG. (2013) Crystal structures of a-dioxygenase from Oryza sativa: insights into substrate binding and activation by hydrogen peroxide. Protein Sci (Oct), 22(10): 1432-1438.
- Murphy TF, Brauer AL, Kirkham C, Johnson A, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Malkowski MG. (2013) Role of the Zinc Uptake ABC Transporter of Moraxella catarrhalis in Persistence in the Respiratory Tract. Infect Immun (Sep), 81(9): 3406-3413.
- Pieper U, Schlessinger A, Kloppmann E, Chang GA, Chou JJ, Dumont ME, Fox BG, Fromme P, Hendrickson WA, Malkowski MG, Rees DC, Stokes DL, Stowell MH, Wiener MC, Rost B, Stroud RM, Stevens RC, Sali A. (2013) Coordinating the impact of structural genomics on the human a-helical transmembrane proteome. Nat Struct Mol Biol (Feb), 20(2): 135-138.
- Vecchio AJ, Orlando BJ, Nandagiri R, Malkowski MG. (2012) Investigating substrate promiscuity in cyclooxygenase-2: the role of Arg-120 and residues lining the hydrophobic groove. J Biol Chem (Jul), 287(29): 24619-24630.
- Luthra A, Zhu G, Desrosiers DC, Eggers CH, Mulay V, Anand A, McArthur FA, Romano FB, Caimano MJ, Heuck AP, Malkowski MG, Radolf JD. (2011) The transition from closed to open conformation of Treponema pallidum outer membrane-associated lipoprotein TP0453 involves membrane sensing and integration by two amphipathic helices. J Biol Chem (Dec), 286(48): 41656-41668.
- Vecchio AJ, Malkowski MG. (2011) The structure of NS-398 bound to cyclooxygenase-2. J Struct Biol (Nov), 176(2): 254-258.
- Calamini B, Ratia K, Malkowski MG, Cuendet M, Pezzuto JM, Santarsiero BD, Mesecar AD. (2010) Pleiotropic mechanisms facilitated by resveratrol and its metabolites. Biochem J (Jul), 429(2): 273-282.
- Clark KM, Fedoriw N, Robinson K, Connelly SM, Randles J, Malkowski MG, Detitta GT, Dumont ME. (2010) Purification of transmembrane proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae for X-ray crystallography. Protein Expr Purif (Jun), 71(2): 207-223.
- Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Krol A, Mozumdar N, Wunsch K, Ferin A, Cook E, Veatch CK, Nagel R, Luft JR, Detitta GT, Malkowski MG. (2009) Determination and application of empirically derived detergent phase boundaries to effectively crystallize membrane proteins. Protein Sci (Sep), 18(9): 1828-1839.
- Snell EH, Luft JR, Potter SA, Lauricella AM, Gulde SM, Malkowski MG, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Said MI, Smith JL, Veatch CK, Collins RJ, Franks G, Thayer M, Cumbaa C, Jurisica I, Detitta GT. (2008) Establishing a training set through the visual analysis of crystallization trials. Part I: approximately 150,000 images. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr (Nov), 64(Pt 11): 1123-1130.
- Snell EH, Lauricella AM, Potter SA, Luft JR, Gulde SM, Collins RJ, Franks G, Malkowski MG, Cumbaa C, Jurisica I, DeTitta GT. (2008) Establishing a training set through the visual analysis of crystallization trials. Part II: crystal examples. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr (Nov), 64(Pt 11): 1131-1137.
- Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Krol AC, Simmons DM, Goulah CC, Wroblewski L, Malkowski MG. (2008) His-311 and Arg-559 are key residues involved in fatty acid oxygenation in pathogen-inducible oxygenase. J Biol Chem (Sep), 283(36): 24962-24971.
- Fox BG, Goulding C, Malkowski MG, Stewart L, Deacon A. (2008) Structural genomics: from genes to structures with valuable materials and many questions in between. Nat Methods (Feb), 5(2): 129-132.
- Luft JR, Wolfley JR, Said MI, Nagel RM, Lauricella AM, Smith JL, Thayer MH, Veatch CK, Snell EH, Malkowski MG, Detitta GT. (2007) Efficient optimization of crystallization conditions by manipulation of drop volume ratio and temperature. Protein Sci (Apr), 16(4): 715-722.
- Malkowski MG, Quartley E, Friedman AE, Babulski J, Kon Y, Wolfley J, Said M, Luft JR, Phizicky EM, DeTitta GT, Grayhack EJ. (2007) Blocking S-adenosylmethionine synthesis in yeast allows selenomethionine incorporation and multiwavelength anomalous dispersion phasing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Apr), 104(16): 6678-6683.
- Garavito RM, Malkowski MG, DeWitt DL. (2002) The structures of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases-1 and -2. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat (Aug), 68-69: 129-152.
- Malkowski MG, Thuresson ED, Lakkides KM, Rieke CJ, Micielli R, Smith WL, Garavito RM. (2001) Structure of eicosapentaenoic and linoleic acids in the cyclooxygenase site of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1. J Biol Chem (Oct), 276(40): 37547-37555.
- Thuresson ED, Lakkides KM, Rieke CJ, Sun Y, Wingerd BA, Micielli R, Mulichak AM, Malkowski MG, Garavito RM, Smith WL. (2001) Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1: the functions of cyclooxygenase active site residues in the binding, positioning, and oxygenation of arachidonic acid. J Biol Chem (Mar), 276(13): 10347-10357.
- Thuresson ED, Malkowski MG, Lakkides KM, Rieke CJ, Mulichak AM, Ginell SL, Garavito RM, Smith WL. (2001) Mutational and X-ray crystallographic analysis of the interaction of dihomo-gamma -linolenic acid with prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases. J Biol Chem (Mar), 276(13): 10358-10365.
- Malkowski MG, Theisen MJ, Scharmen A, Garavito RM. (2000) The formation of stable fatty acid substrate complexes in prostaglandin H(2) synthase-1. Arch Biochem Biophys (Aug), 380(1): 39-45.
- Martin PD, Malkowski MG, Box J, Esmon CT, Edwards BF. (1997) New insights into the regulation of the blood clotting cascade derived from the X-ray crystal structure of bovine meizothrombin des F1 in complex with PPACK. Structure (Dec), 5(12): 1681-1693.
- Malkowski MG, Martin PD, Lord ST, Edwards BF. (1997) Crystal structure of fibrinogen-Aalpha peptide 1-23 (F8Y) bound to bovine thrombin explains why the mutation of Phe-8 to tyrosine strongly inhibits normal cleavage at Arg-16. Biochem J (Sep), 326 (: 815-822.
- Malkowski MG, Martin PD, Guzik JC, Edwards BF. (1997) The co-crystal structure of unliganded bovine alpha-thrombin and prethrombin-2: movement of the Tyr-Pro-Pro-Trp segment and active site residues upon ligand binding. Protein Sci (Jul), 6(7): 1438-1448.
- Malkowski MG, Lazar JB, Johnson PH, Edwards BF. (1997) The amino-terminal residues in the crystal structure of connective tissue activating peptide-III (des10) block the ELR chemotactic sequence. J Mol Biol (Feb), 266(2): 367-380.
- Martin PD, Malkowski MG, DiMaio J, Konishi Y, Ni F, Edwards BF. (1996) Bovine thrombin complexed with an uncleavable analog of residues 7-19 of fibrinogen A alpha: geometry of the catalytic triad and interactions of the P1‘, P2‘, and P3‘ substrate residues. Biochemistry (Oct), 35(40): 13030-13039.
- Vitali J, Martin PD, Malkowski MG, Olsen CM, Johnson PH, Edwards BF. (1996) Structure of a bovine thrombin-hirudin51-65 complex determined by a combination of molecular replacement and graphics. Incorporation of known structural information in molecular replacement. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr (May), 52(Pt 3): 453-464.
- Malkowski MG, Wu JY, Lazar JB, Johnson PH, Edwards BF. (1995) The crystal structure of recombinant human neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (M6L) at 1.9-A resolution. J Biol Chem (Mar), 270(13): 7077-7087.
- Vitali J, Martin PD, Malkowski MG, Robertson WD, Lazar JB, Winant RC, Johnson PH, Edwards BF. (1992) The structure of a complex of bovine alpha-thrombin and recombinant hirudin at 2.8-A resolution. J Biol Chem (Sep), 267(25): 17670-17678.
Professional Memberships:
- American Heart Association (2023–present)
- American Crystallographic Association (2020–present)
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2009–present)
Presentations:
- "Utilizing 19F-NMR to Characterize the Ensembles Generated Upon Ligand Binding to Cyclooxygenase-2" Protein Science Group Seminar Series, Department of Structural Biology, University of Buffalo (2023)
- "The Dynamics of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Viewed Through the Lens of 19F-NMR." Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Disease 17th International Conference , New Orleans, LA (2022)
- "Reexamining Aspirin and Celebrex Interactions with Cyclooxygenase-2: Identification of a New Hotspot for Inhibition" Protein Science Group Seminar Series, Department of Structural Biology, University of Buffalo (2020)
- "Time-Dependent Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 by Aspirin and Celebrex: The Role of Arg-513 and Leu-531" Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases 16th International Conference (2019)
- "Cyclooxygenase Catalysis and Inhibition: New Insights and New Directions" Seminar Series, Department of Chemistry, University of Buffalo (2016)
- "New Insights into Cyclooxygenase Catalysis and Inhibition" Seminar Series; University of Connecticut; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (2016)
- "New Perspectives in Cyclooxygenase Structure, Function, and Dynamics" Seminar Series; SUNY at Buffalo; Department of Oral Biology (2014)
- "Investigating Cyclooxygenase-2 Catalysis and Inhibition in a Lipid Bilayer" Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Related Disease 13th International Conference; Eicosanoid Research Foundation (2013)
- "Monotopic Membrane Enzymes: Structural Features that Govern Catalysis at the Membrane Interface" Advanced Photon Source User's Meeting; Argonne National Laboratory (2013)
- "Do Plants Have COX? Structural Studies of a Cyclooxygenase-like alpha-dioxygenase from Arabidopsis" Seminar Series, Hospital for Sick Kids, Department of Molecular and Structural Function, University of Toronto (2012)
- "Flexibility Drives Substrate Promiscuity in Cyclooxygenase-2" CHESS User's Meeting; Cornell University (2012)
- "Insights into the Oxygenation of Substrates by COX-2" Seminar Series, Department of Chemistry, SUNY-IT (2012)
- "Molecular Features that Govern the Oxygenation of Substrates by COX-2" 14th Winter Eicosanoid Conference, Baltimore, MD (2012)
- "The Structure of alpha-Dioxygenase: a Case Study in the Use of Detergent Phase Boundaries to Crystallize Membrane Proteins" Seminar Series, Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University (2011)
- "The Who, What, and Why of Structural Biology" Seminar Series, Department of Chemistry, University of Detroit-Mercy (2011)
- "Substrate Binding to Cyclooxygenase-2: Insight into Specificity and Catalysis" Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and related Diseases 12th International Conference; Eicosanoid Research Foundation (2011)
- "High-Throughput Crystallization Screening for the Structural Biology Community" American Crystallographic Association Annual Meeting; New Orleans, LA (2011)
- "Structural Studies of Fatty Acid Oxygenation by Membrane Bound Enzymes" The Institute for Molecular Diversity and Drug Design 13th Annual Symposium; University of Louisville (2011)
- "Using Experimentally Derived Detergent Phase Boundaries to Facilitate Crystallization of Membrane Proteins" 13th International Conference on the Crystallization of Biomolecules, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland (2010)
- "Multi-Level Optimization of Membrane Proteins" PSI:Biology Kickoff Meeting; National Institutes of Health; National Institute for General Medical Sciences (2010)
- "Just a Phase? Using Experimentally-derived Detergent Phase Boundaries to Facilitate Crystallization of Membrane Proteins" 40th Mid-Atlantic Crystallography Meeting, Johns Hopkins University (2010)
- "Using Experimentally-Derived Detergent Phase Boundaries to Facilitate Crystallization of Membrane Proteins" Seminar Series, GlaxoSmithKline (2010)
- "Then and Now: Structural Biology of Cyclooxygenase-2" Seminar Series, Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University (2010)
- "CHTSB: Technology Development Highlights" Protein Structure Initiative Annual Meeting; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2009)
- "Molecular Determinants Governing Oxylipin Biosynthesis in Fatty Acid Oxygenases" Seminar Series, Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University (2009)
- "Recent Advances in Membrane Protein Crystallization: Determination and Application of Empirically-Derived Detergent Phase Boundaries for Crystallization" 2009 SSRL/LCLS User's Meeting; Stanford University (2009)
- "Molecular Determinants Governing Fatty Acid Oxygenation in alpha-dioxygenases" Regulatory Oxylipins: an International Symposium, Lausanne, Switzerland (2009)
- "Technology Development Efforts at the Center for High-Throughput Structural Biology" Protein Structure Initiative Annual Meeting; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2008)
- "Using Detergent Phase Boundaries to Crystallize Membrane Proteins" Protein Structure Initiative 7th Bottlenecks Workshop; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2008)
- "Technology Developments at the CHTSB" Protein Structure Initiative Annual Meeting; National Institues of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2007)
- "The Utilization of Detergent Phase Boundary Information for Crystallizing Membrane Proteins" 65th Annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference; Pittsburgh Diffraction Society, Buffalo, NY (2007)
- "The Center for High-Throughput Structural Biology: Show Me the Bottlenecks" Protein Structure Initiative's 6th Bottlenecks Workshop; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2007)
- "Oxylipin Biosynthesis in Pathogen-Inducible Oxygenase" Biophysics and Structural Biology Retreat; University of Rochester (2007)
- "Novel Oxygenations of Arachidonic Acid by Cyclooxygenases" Segal Osteoarthritis Symposium, Arthritis Foundation, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2006)
- "Technology Development at the Center for High-Throughput Structural Biology" Protein Structure Initiative Annual Meeting; National Institues of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2006)
- "The Center for High-Throughput Structural Biology" Protein Structure Initiative's 5th Bottlenecks Workshop; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2006)
- "Novel Oxygenations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids" Upstate New York Structural Biology Day; University of Rochester (2003)
- "Fatty Acid Interactions with Cyclooxygenases" Seminar Series, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, Rosewll Park Cancer Institute (2001)
- "Fatty Acid Substrate Interactions with Cyclooxygenases" 10th Buffalo-Hamilton-Toronto Crystallography Meeting, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (2001)
- "Fatty Acid Substrate Interactions with Cyclooxygenases" 4th International Workshop on COX-2, San Juan, Puerto Rico (2001)
Service Activities:
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences; Associate Editor (2023–present)
- NIH ZRG1 BST-J (55); Reviewer (2021)
- NIH ZRG1 F04B-T (20); Reviewer (2020)
- Ad Hoc Committee on Promotions to Academic (Tenurial) Ranks (2020–2023)
- NIH ZRG1 BCMB-G (02); Reviewer (2020)
- Decanal Academic Grievance Committee; Chair (2019–2020)
- NIH ZRG1 BCMB-G; Study Section Chair (2019)
- NIH ZRG1 BCMB-G; Study Section Chair (2019)
- JSMBS Research Strategic Plan Steering Committee; Member (2017–2018)
- Israeli Science Foundation; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2017)
- NIH ZRG1 BCMD-T (01) I; Panel Member (2016)
- BioXFEL Faculty Search Committee; Committee Member (2016)
- ZRG1 BCMB-D (02) M;; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2016)
- NIH Molecular Structure and Function B; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2015)
- PPBS Admissions Commitee; Committee Member (2015–2023)
- NIH ZGM1 CBB-0 (EM); Panel Member (2015)
- Department Chair; Chair (2014–present)
- Chair, Department of Structural Biology; Chair (2014–present)
- PPBS Steering Committee Department of Structural Biology representative; Committee Member (2013–2014)
- NIH ZRG1 BCMB-D (0); Panel Member (2013)
- US-Israeli Binational Science Foundation; Ad hoc Reviewer (2012)
- NCI Intramural Program, Laboratory of Cell Biology; Site Visit Review Team Member (2011)
- Jeffress Memorial Trust; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2010)
- NIGMS Pathway to Independence grants (K99-R00); Stage 1 Reviewer (2010)
- National Science Foundation; Ad hoc Reviewer (2010)
- Israeli Science Foundation; Ad hoc Reviewer (2010)
- NIH Challenge Grants; Reviewer (2009)
- IGPBS Admissions Assessment Committee Department of Structural Biology representative; Committee Member (2008)
- Arthritis Foundation, Molecular Immunology Study Section; Reviewer (2008)
- IGPBS Steering Committee Department of Structural Biology representative; Committee Member (2001–2009)
- IGPBS Admissions Committee Department of Structural Biology representative; Committee Member (2001–2003)