P. Raj Pokkuluri
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1
Total Citations
33
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About
P. Raj Pokkuluri is a leading structural biologist whose research centers on the molecular mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer in metal-reducing bacteria, with a particular focus on the *Geobacter* genus. His major contributions involve elucidating the three-dimensional structures of key outer-membrane cytochromes that enable these organisms to transfer electrons to insoluble metals and electrodes. His most cited work, a 2008 study on the cytochrome OmcF from *Geobacter sulfurreducens*, revealed a striking structural similarity to an algal cytochrome *c*<sub>6</sub>, providing critical insight into the evolution and function of these proteins. This foundational paper has garnered 33 citations, establishing a framework for understanding how monoheme cytochromes like OmcF, alongside multihome counterparts such as OmcB and OmcC, facilitate the microbe’s unique respiratory capabilities. By solving these structures, Pokkuluri has provided the molecular blueprints necessary for engineering *Geobacter* strains for enhanced bioremediation of heavy metals and for optimizing microbial fuel cells. His work remains essential for researchers exploring bioenergy and environmental microbiology, bridging the gap between protein architecture and practical biotechnological applications.
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