Skip to main content

Michael C. Fitzgerald

Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry
Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708-0346
3222 French Science Center, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Dr. Fitzgerald’s research group is focused on studies of protein folding and function. The group utilizes a combination of covalent labeling strategies (e.g. protein amide H/D exchange and methionine oxidiation) and mass spectrometry techniques to investigate the thermodynamic properties of protein folding and ligand binding reactions. Current research efforts involve: (1) the development new biophysical methods that enable protein folding and stability measurements to be performed on the proteomic scale; and (2) the application of these new methods in the areas of disease detection, diagnosis, and therapy.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Chemistry · 2011 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Chair of Chemistry · 2024 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biochemistry · 2011 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published October 19, 2016
Dust Mite Allergens Share Rare Combo of Qualities

View All News

Recent Publications


Top-Down Stability of Proteins from Rates of Oxidation (TD-SPROX) Approach for Measuring Proteoform-Specific Folding Stability.

Journal Article Analytical chemistry · December 2024 The crucial roles of proteoforms in biological processes and disease mechanisms have been increasingly recognized. However, the rate at which new proteoforms are being discovered using top-down proteomics has far outpaced the rate at which the functional s ... Full text Cite

Analysis of Brain Protein Stability Changes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Journal Article Journal of proteome research · October 2024 The stability of proteins from rates of oxidation (SPROX), thermal proteome profiling (TPP), and limited proteolysis (LiP) techniques were used to profile the stability of ∼2500 proteins in hippocampus tissue cell lysates from 2- and 8-months-old wild-type ... Full text Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Chemical Biology Strategies to Resolve Plasmodium Heat Shock Protein Function

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2023 - 2028

Elucidating the Molecular Basis of Cellular Metal Stress by using Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Methods

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2026

MRI: Acquisition of a Microscale Thermophoresis System

EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2022 - 2025

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


University of Wisconsin, Madison · 1994 Ph.D.
Davidson College · 1989 B.S.