The Kossiakoff Group's research interests are to provide a molecular understanding of how molecular recognition governs virtually all aspects of biological function. To study these issues our group employs a combination of X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, site-directed mutagenesis, phage display and biophysical analysis. The Kossiakoff group has also pioneered a new technology called “chaperone-assisted” crystallography, which has facilitated the structural analyses of protein systems that had been totally recalcitrant to other approaches. The group has also been at the forefront of developing synthetic antibodies. These synthetic antibodies are much more powerful that traditional monoclonal antibodies and have the potential to completely replace them for uses in live cell imaging and proteomics.
California Institute of Technology
Postdoc - Structural Biology
1975
University of Delaware
Ph.D - Physical Chemistry
1972
Davis and Elkins College
BS - Chemistry/Math
1968
Engineered protein G variants for multifunctional antibody-based assemblies.
Engineered protein G variants for multifunctional antibody-based assemblies. Protein Sci. 2025 Feb; 34(2):e70019.
PMID: 39865354
Conformational coupling between extracellular and transmembrane domains modulates holo-adhesion GPCR function.
Conformational coupling between extracellular and transmembrane domains modulates holo-adhesion GPCR function. Nat Commun. 2024 Dec 04; 15(1):10545.
PMID: 39627215
Molecular characterization of the archaic HLA-B*73:01 allele reveals presentation of a unique peptidome and skewed engagement by KIR2DL2.
Molecular characterization of the archaic HLA-B*73:01 allele reveals presentation of a unique peptidome and skewed engagement by KIR2DL2. bioRxiv. 2024 Nov 28.
PMID: 39651149
Biophysical Basis of Paracellular Barrier Modulation by a Pan-Claudin-Binding Molecule.
Biophysical Basis of Paracellular Barrier Modulation by a Pan-Claudin-Binding Molecule. bioRxiv. 2024 Nov 11.
PMID: 39605593
Cryo-EM structures of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin bound to its human receptor, claudin-4.
Cryo-EM structures of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin bound to its human receptor, claudin-4. Structure. 2024 Nov 07; 32(11):1936-1951.e5.
PMID: 39383874
Structural insights into translocation and tailored synthesis of hyaluronan.
Structural insights into translocation and tailored synthesis of hyaluronan. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2025 Jan; 32(1):161-171.
PMID: 39322765
Structural insights into terminal arabinosylation biosynthesis of the mycobacterial cell wall arabinan.
Structural insights into terminal arabinosylation biosynthesis of the mycobacterial cell wall arabinan. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 18.
PMID: 39345558
Mechanistic studies of mycobacterial glycolipid biosynthesis by the mannosyltransferase PimE.
Mechanistic studies of mycobacterial glycolipid biosynthesis by the mannosyltransferase PimE. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 18.
PMID: 39345506
Cryo-EM Structure of Phospholipase Ce Defines N-terminal Domains and their Roles in Activity.
Cryo-EM Structure of Phospholipase Ce Defines N-terminal Domains and their Roles in Activity. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 12.
PMID: 39314324
Engineered Protein-G variants for plug-and-play applications.
Engineered Protein-G variants for plug-and-play applications. bioRxiv. 2024 Aug 08.
PMID: 39211271
Christian Anfinsen Award
Protein Society
2019
Fellow of American Association for Advancement of Science
AAAS
2012
Honorary Degree Doctor of Science
Davis and Elkins College
2011
Alumni Hall of Fame
University of Delaware
2003
Chair Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Chicago
1998 - 2011
Director Institute for Biophysical Dynamics
University of Chicago
1998 - 2003
Director Department of Protein Engineering
Genentech, Inc.
1983 - 1998