Robert Campbell

Professor Robert Campbell, University of Alberta. A new generation of genetically encoded reporters to illuminate biochemistry where and when it happens.  R.B. Woodward Lectures in the Chemical Sciences, Physical Chemistry Seminar.  The Campbell research group is focused on the use of protein engineering for the development of fluorescent proteins and fluorescent protein-based reporters for live cell imaging. These efforts require a combination of rational protein design and directed evolution work flows. Over the last decade, this approach has proven to be both effective and versatile and has led to the development of a variety of new genetically encoded fluorescent probes. Indeed, by exploiting iterative cycles of fluorescence image-based screening, combined with genetic, optical, and chemical manipulations of bacterial colonies, the Campbell group has developed a growing selection of fluorescent protein-based tools with improved brightness, photostability, and biosensing or photoconversion properties. In this seminar I will present some of our most recent efforts to engineer an improved generation of reporters. Specifically, I will provide an update on the expanding palette of calcium ion reporters our lab has been developing, and describe how we are using similar engineering efforts to make reporters for membrane potential and neurotransmitters.