Irene Weber


Professor of Biology and Chemistry, Georgia State University
Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar


Office phone (404) 651-0098 iweber@gsu.edu
Laboratory Personnel

Graduate Courses:
Fundamentals of Bioinformatics 6640 and Advanced Bioinformatics 8630

Useful Links

Crystal Structures

Research Projects

We are studying the molecular basis of disease by analyzing the mode of action of key regulatory proteins at the molecular level using the techniques of bioinformatics, biochemistry and crystallography.
  • Retroviral Proteases: HIV and other retroviruses cause AIDS and cancer in humans and other animals. We are studying the crystal structures and enzyme activties of drug resistant mutants of HIV protease and developing new antiviral inhibitors.

  • Caspases: Caspases regulate apoptosis and inflammation by cleavage of proteins. Abnormal caspase activity is associated with many diseases: cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, heart disease, sepsis, viral and bacterial infections. We are studying the structure and substrate recognition of caspases.

  • Est30 The crystal structure of thermostable carboxyesterase Est30 has a covalent reaction intermediate. This active site geometry is relevant for many enzymes in the serine hydrolase superfamily.

  • Glucokinase and glycemic diseases: Molecular models of human glucokinase have been used to understand the effects of mutations associated with diabetes and other glycemic diseases.

  • Molecular Modeling Methods: Protein structures are being predicted by Homology Modeling using AMMP.

Selected Publications