Steven R. Van Doren, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry

University of Missouri – Columbia (MU)

Molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation and remodeling in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, as well as tumor invasion are the focus of this laboratory. The projects focus on proteolytic enzymes known as MMPs, an enzyme of bacterial virulence, and non-invasive diagnosis of asthma. Our experimental strengths are in structural biology by NMR, biophysical enzymology, spectroscopy, computations, and statistics for metabolomics. Our basic science discoveries are inspiring ideas for translational development. We are seeking translational collaborations in non-invasive pulmonary diagnostics, as well as development of MMP-targeting agents for imaging and therapeutic trials. The latter will require new collaborators studying animal models of inflammatory diseases.