Steven G. Clarke

Dr. Steven G. Clarke is a Distinguished Professor at UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and director of research at the Molecular Biology Institute. His work bridges protein chemistry, methylation biology, and aging research through studies of spontaneous protein damage and its repair mechanisms.

• Education:
  • BA in Chemistry and Zoology, Pomona College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
  • PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University (NSF Fellow)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (Miller Fellow)

Dr. Clarke's research focuses on protein isoaspartyl repair via PCMT1/PIMT enzymes, ribosomal protein methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and PRMT family characterization including PRMT7 and PRMT9. His lab combines biochemical assays, genetic models, and structural analysis to investigate aging mechanisms and disease implications.

Recent publications highlight:

• COQ5 structure-function analysis in coenzyme Q biosynthesis
• PCMTD1 ubiquitin ligase interactions
• PRMT7 substrate specificity in histone H2B
• Protein isoaspartyl impacts on T cell function in lupus
• Novel PRMT inhibitors for cancer therapy
• Methionine addiction in osteosarcoma malignancy

Major scientific awards:

• American Chemical Society Ralph F. Hirschmann Award in Peptide Chemistry
• NIH MERIT Award
• Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award
• William C. Rose Award, ASBMB
• UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award (Eby Award winner)

Current lab members include PhD candidates Eric Pang (UCSB) and Sining "Cindy" Wang (UCLA), while undergraduates Celeste Medina-Seymoure, Elizabeth Oroudjeva, Olivia Pacheco, and Jasmine Winter contribute to ongoing proteostasis studies. Collaborations with Profs. Jose Rodriguez and Catherine Clarke demonstrate interdisciplinary research approaches.