Catalyzing Chemistry is a recurring Chemistry Stories feature where we introduce our readers to graduate students and their work within the laboratories on the St. George, Scarborough and Mississauga campuses. We explore their educational journeys, the steps that brought them to their particular chemistry subdiscipline, surprises and discoveries along the way.
Bio: My name is Janani Venkat (she/her) and I’m a new master’s student in the department, specializing in biological chemistry. I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of protein structure and function and am particularly interested in the applications of engineered proteins in research, medicine, and industry.
I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. As a member of the Langelaan lab, I worked toward characterizing the structure and function of an exonuclease protein. During my graduate studies, I am excited to build on this background and develop new skills in the field of protein science.
Campus: St. George campus
Area of Chemistry: Biological Chemistry
Research Lab: Andrew Woolley Group
What branch of chemistry do you specialize in, whose research group have you joined, and how did you come to choose this path?
My biochemistry background and interest in protein engineering led me to the Woolley lab. We focus on developing optogenetic protein tools, or proteins whose interactions can be controlled by light. These systems can ultimately have applications in controlling biological processes such as gene expression, leading to exciting research applications.
What are you looking forward to most as you begin your graduate studies at U of T?
Alongside developing new skills in the lab, I’m looking forward to connecting with other grad students and researchers in the department! I would also love to get involved with student societies and leadership during my degree.
What makes your sub-branch of chemistry most extraordinary or exciting?
I think protein engineering and biological chemistry are extraordinary as they are situated at the intersection between biology and chemistry. Applying biochemical insights to design a new system allows for a lot of creativity and permits us to envision new possibilities. With the rise of protein structure prediction and design tools, it’s an exciting time to be working on protein engineering.
Do you remember the moment when you decided to pursue an advanced degree in Chemistry? It’s a big decision — what sparked this for you?
Rather than a single big moment, it was more of a slow realization - I really enjoyed research in my undergrad and knew I wouldn't be satisfied by stopping there. I wanted to really immerse myself in the field and keep learning as much as I possibly could.