Seth Darst

Seth Darst, PhD is a Professor at Rockefeller University, leading the Darst Lab in structural and mechanistic studies of RNA polymerases. His research focuses on transcription regulation in E. coli, M. tuberculosis, and SARS-CoV-2 through biophysical and computational approaches.

• Education: PhD (1987, Stanford University), MS (1984, Stanford), BS (1982, University of Colorado, Boulder)

Key research areas include macromolecular structure/function, X-ray crystallography, and protein modeling, with applications in microbiology and antibiotic development. Recent work explores drug mechanisms against Clostridium difficile and Molnupiravir's effects on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase.

Notable awards:

• Member, National Academy of Science
• Gregori Aminoff Prize (2025)

The Darst and Campbell Labs collaborate on transcription mechanisms in pathogens and model organisms, integrating biophysics, structural biology, and molecular pathogenesis. Their research has implications for treating tuberculosis and viral infections.