The Cotten lab investigates proteins and peptides that interact with lipids as part of host defense and molecular delivery. Specific molecular systems include host defense peptides and lipids, cell penetrating peptides, and lipid-transfer proteins. We establish structure-dynamics-activity relationships and develop new mechanistic understanding by using complementary biophysical and biochemical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism, calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, and activity assays on live cells and mimics of their plasma membranes. Through biomolecular engineering approaches, we design enhanced analogs. Current projects include establishing synergistic antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects between peptides and other agents such as glycolipids; characterizing the mechanisms of membrane crossing by direct delivery peptides and of lipid transport by lipid-transfer proteins; and leveraging high-field NMR to gain new insights into the interplay between the physicochemical properties of biological membranes and their functional roles.

-The site is currently under construction-