For the understanding of the biochemical phenomena of enzyme activity data at the molecular level is one of the most vital needs. Dr. Banaszak is performing an X-ray crystallographic study of L-3 hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenase (BHDH), cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (sMDH) and fumarase. Although these structural studies are at different stages, the long range objectives in each case are similar. Structural investigations of the type proposed are fundamental to understanding the mechanism of catalytic activity these enzymes which carry out essential steps in a number of fundamental biochemical pathways.
