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
Epitope-guided Detection of a Molecular Glue-induced Ternary Complex Using Engineered Synthetic Antibody Fragments.
Epitope-guided Detection of a Molecular Glue-induced Ternary Complex Using Engineered Synthetic Antibody Fragments. J Mol Biol. 2026 Oct 01; 438(19):169953.
PMID: 42476294
A universal Fab targeting a conserved U1A-RNA epitope for RNA structure determination by cryo-EM.
A universal Fab targeting a conserved U1A-RNA epitope for RNA structure determination by cryo-EM. Nucleic Acids Res. 2026 May 20; 54(10).
PMID: 42165126
Dynamic translocation of Inside-Out proteins to the cell surface underlies cellular adaptation to cancer-induced stress.
Dynamic translocation of Inside-Out proteins to the cell surface underlies cellular adaptation to cancer-induced stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Mar 31; 123(13):e2529493123.
PMID: 41875162
Structures of ALG3/9/12 reveal the assembly logic of the N-glycan oligomannose core.
Structures of ALG3/9/12 reveal the assembly logic of the N-glycan oligomannose core. Nat Chem Biol. 2026 Sep; 22(9):1501-1513.
PMID: 41807832
Conformational ensembles of the magnesium channel CorA reveal structural basis for channel gating.
Conformational ensembles of the magnesium channel CorA reveal structural basis for channel gating. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Feb 24; 123(8):e2512532123.
PMID: 41701836
Conformation-specific Antibody Deciphers K27-linked Ubiquitination in Chaperone-Mediated Proteostasis.
Conformation-specific Antibody Deciphers K27-linked Ubiquitination in Chaperone-Mediated Proteostasis. bioRxiv. 2025 Dec 18.
PMID: 41446272
Mechanistic basis of antimicrobial resistance mediated by the phosphoethanolamine transferase MCR-1.
Mechanistic basis of antimicrobial resistance mediated by the phosphoethanolamine transferase MCR-1. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 26; 16(1):10516.
PMID: 41298376
Structural basis of drug recognition by human MATE1 transporter.
Structural basis of drug recognition by human MATE1 transporter. Nat Commun. 2025 Oct 27; 16(1):9444.
PMID: 41145429
An unconventional HxD motif orchestrates coatomer-dependent coronavirus morphogenesis.
An unconventional HxD motif orchestrates coatomer-dependent coronavirus morphogenesis. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct 17.
PMID: 41279991
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. Commun Biol. 2025 Oct 06; 8(1):1429.
PMID: 41053213
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