Katherine Rush
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Assistant Professor

Research Areas: Biochemistry

Office: 266 Chemistry Building

Address: 179 Chemistry Building
Auburn, AL 36849

Phone: (334) 844-6908

Email: kwrush@auburn.edu


Education
University of Michigan, Ph.D. Chemical Biology
2013 - 2018
University of Tennessee, B.S. Chemistry
2010 - 2013


Professional Employment
Assistant Professor, Auburn University
2023 - present
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Reed College
2020 - 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow, Oregon Health and Science University & Reed College
2018 - 2023


Research and Teaching Interests

Research: Metalloenzymology | Bioinorganic Chemistry | X-ray spectroscopy

We are interested in metalloenzyme catalysis and spectroscopic characterization of catalytic intermediates in order to yield insights into the molecular basis of biological phenomena. The enzyme systems we are currently studying are crucial to thyroid hormone homeostasis, oxygen activation and intracellular redox balance, and biosynthesis of antimicrobial natural products. Selenium-containing amino acids are a particular interest in our laboratory, which we aim to use as a labelling tool for element-specific spectroscopic characterization and understand their functionality within biological catalysis.

We use a variety of biochemical (heterologous protein expression, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis, enzyme functional assays), analytical (ICP-OES, protein chromatography, LC-MS), and spectroscopic (UV-visible, infrared, and X-ray absorption) techniques. A primary focus in our lab is applying X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and emerging XAS high resolution techniques to seleno- and metalloprotein systems relevant to human health.

Teaching: BCHE 7270 – Biochemical Research Techniques



Selected Publications







Last updated: 03/20/2024