This research investigates how glutamine-rich regions within the LAG-3 protein influence Notch signaling, a critical pathway for cell communication and development. Using CRISPR gene editing, the study found that removing glutamine repeats alters stem cell behavior and cell-cycle progression, providing insights relevant to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and future therapies.

This research designs simplified, custom-built proteins to understand how natural proteins work and to create new biocatalysts. By choosing a desired function and designing the amino-acid sequence and structure from scratch, the project aims to develop clean, efficient protein-based alternatives to environmentally harmful industrial chemistry.