Jack A. Dunkle

Jack A. Dunkle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Alabama. His research focuses on the structure and mechanism of RNA modification enzymes, antibiotic resistance, and gene regulation using biochemical and structural biology methods.

• Education:
• BS, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2005
• PhD, University of California at Berkeley, 2010
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University, 2011–2015

The Dunkle Research Group investigates RNA modification enzymes that play critical roles in antibiotic resistance and gene regulation. Key projects include studying methyltransferases that modify 23S ribosomal RNA to block antibiotic binding and exploring the specificity mechanisms of 6-methyl adenosine 'writer' and 'reader' proteins in mRNA regulation. Techniques include X-ray crystallography, SAXS, and EM.

The group’s research on antibiotic resistance mechanisms, such as erythromycin resistance methyltransferases (Erm enzymes), and RNA structural biology has resulted in publications in journals like Biochemistry and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Notable work includes structural analysis of the Suf pathway for iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and the molecular basis of aminoglycoside resistance via NpmA.

The Dunkle Lab, located in Shelby Hall, has presented findings at conferences like the Southeast Enzyme Conference and the RNA Society meeting. The lab has mentored undergraduate researchers, including Caroline Yuk, who received a Marshall Scholarship for graduate studies at Oxford University.