Plaxco Group Members

Prof. Kevin W. Plaxco kwp@chem.ucsb.edu 1103 Chemistry (805) 893-5558 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	My lab studies protein folding and biomolecular engineering. Our goal in these endeavors is both an improved understanding of the folding process and an ability to apply this rapid, highly specific, highly cooperative self-assembly process to the development of nano-scale electronic sensors and adaptable materials. See Research page for more info.
Dr. Yi Xiao xiao@physics.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	My research focuses on biomolecular engineering, with specific emphasis placed on the development of both electronic and optical biosensors for the detection of DNA, proteins and small molecules. Advances have included the development of a novel class of reagentless, fully electronic, aptamer-based sensors (E-AB sensors). These sensors are sensitive, specific and selective enough to employ in blood and other grossly contaminated materials.
Dr. Brian R. Baker brb@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	I am developing and characterizing electrochemical biosensor platforms which utilize binding-induced folding biopolymers immobilized on electrode surfaces. Much of my work is involved in coating electrode surfaces with functional biopolymers, such that the modified electrodes exhibit optimal surface density, target affinity, and stability. To assist in the interrogation of our biosensor systems, I have developed an analytical method for extracting peak parameters from voltammograms using a combination of second derivative analysis and linear regression. See www.brianrobertbaker.com for more info.
Dr. Rebecca Lai rlai@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	The focus of my research is on the development of electronic means of monitoring DNA hybridization and the development of densely packed, multi-analyte electrode arrays.
Dr. Takanori Uzawa tuzawa@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)
Dr. Francesco Ricci fricci@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)
Kenneth Oh (Materials Chem) oh@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	I am a materials chemistry student studying conformation-linked changes in through-protein electron transfer rates for biosensor applications. An important basic science spin-off of this research is that it provides a means of measuring the rates of diffusional inter-chain collisions in unfolded proteins, an important parameter in our quest to understand protein folding kinetics.
Camile Lawrence (BMSE) lawrence@lifesci.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	My research program focuses on the folding of simple, single domain proteins and the application of protein folding in the development of optical, protein-based biosensors. In order to explore the influence of certain residues on folding rates, I am measuring folding rates of single mutation variants of a small, well characterized two-state folding protein. My other project involves building an optical biosensor that utilizes two principles: ligand induced folding and fluorescence quenching.
Brian Piorek (BMSE) bpiorek@engineering.ucsb.edu Chemistry 115 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	An electrical and mechanical engineer by training, I am working on the development of improved electrode geometries for electronic biosensor applications. I am also investigating alternative signaling mechanisms for our E-DNA sensing platform.
Arica Lubin (Biochem) alubin@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	My research is focused on esurface-immobilized DNA and protein-based electrochemical sensors. Current studies have been on characterizing the analyte selectivity, sequence specificity, and reusability of our group's reagentless E-DNA sensor. I am also several specific applications of the E-DNA technology involving the detection of naturally occurring and non-natural oligonucleotides. Finally, I am developing alternative E-DNA signaling strategies aimed at improving sensor gain and sensitivity.
Kevin Cash (Chem E) kcash@engineering.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	I am a Chemical Engineering student working on the development and optimization of a class of polypeptide-based optical biosensors called "peptide beacons." Peptide beacons are based on the detection of binding-induced changes in peptide dynamics that invariably occur upon target binding. We detect this shift in dynamics by coupling it to the modulation of fluorescent reporter groups covalently attached to the sensing peptide.
Aaron Rowe (Synthetic Organic) rowe@chem.ucsb.edu Chemistry 1154 (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	A synthetic chemist by training, my doctoral research is focused on improved background subtraction, improved stability and improved specificity in DNA-based electronic sensors. Specific test systems include sensors aimed at the illicit drug methamphetamine and the biological warfare agent botulism toxin.
Brook Vander Stoep Hunt (undergrad) Chemistry 1154 scarlettfemme@hotmail.com (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	I am exploring methods for improving the stability and reproducibility of biosensor electrodes and alternative electrode materials.
Sophie Hanscom (undergrad) Chemistry 1154 sophiejacqueline@gmail.com (805) 893-5845 (phone) (805) 893-4120 (Fax)	I am exploring methods for improving the stability and reproducibility of biosensor electrodes and alternative electrode materials.

Department of Chemistry;University of California, Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara, CA 93106