Colin Rathbun
Department
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Colin Rathbun's research seeks to develop new ways to image multicellular interactions in live organisms that drive processes such as the efficacy of cancer-killing drugs, the progression of infection, and the success of stem cell treatments. The ability to see and study these interactions is crucial for understanding the causes and potential treatments of illness. Rathbun is developing bioluminescent proteins that illuminate multiple cell types in the bodies of live organisms to study such interactions. Students in the Rathbun Lab use modern techniques in protein engineering to evolve brighter and more versatile bioluminescent enzymes.
A new research direction in the lab is also evolving enzymes to degrade perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances are toxic to life and contaminate most soil throughout the world. We are aiming to develop enzymes that can break C-F bonds to treat drinking water and contaminants in soil in situ.