HICKS Lab
Understanding how metabolism regulates metabolism
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Our areas of research and development
Understanding how metabolism is regulated by protein-metabolite ligand interactions
There are many well established examples of metabolites regulating specific metabolic enzymes via allosteric and orthosteric interactions. These intra- and inter-pathway protein-metabolite interactions serve as feedforward and feedback mechanisms to govern metabolic pathway function, flux, and directionality. The extent of these regulatory protein-metabolite interactions across metabolism is unknown.
The Hicks lab uses innovative and systematic mass spectrometry approaches to identify enzyme-metabolite interactions and a compliment of molecular, biochemical, genetic, and cellular tools to reveal their biological function. Systematically revealing the mechanisms of metabolic regulation of human metabolic pathways is critical for a complete understanding of metabolism and how diverse cellular processes are regulated or dysregulated in healthy and disease states.
Development of interactome discovery technologies
The strengths of the MIDAS platform can be harnessed to reveal interactions between molecules beyond soluble proteins and metabolites, opening new avenues of biological investigation. We are adapting the MIDAS platform to identify membrane protein-metabolite, protein-metabolome, protein-peptide, protein-chemical fragment, and RNA-metabolite interactions using targeted and non-targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. These interactomics platforms will broaden our understanding of the scope, depth, and functions of interacting biological networks, provide inclusive discovery platforms for the scientific community, and catalyze therapeutic discovery.
Meet the Lab
News from the Lab
May 2025
Welcome to the lab, Lindsay!
University of Utah 2024