MB&B Seminar: Thomas Boothby, “Functional Flexibility of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins in Mediating Tardigrade Desiccation Tolerance”

We want to understand how organisms survive in extreme environments. What are the functional mediators, how do they function, and how did they evolve? We use integrated approaches spanning ‘omics and bioinformatics, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and biophysics, and material science. We work with diverse organisms such as tardigrades (water bears), bacteria and yeast, as well as ex vivo and in vitro systems. Beyond elucidating the fundamental biology, our efforts are aimed at practical application of this knowledge, such as the stabilization of fragile biomedical material and the engineering to hardier crop plants.