The Kim laboratory focuses on mechanistic studies on enzymes that are important therapeutic targets in various human cancers. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is either overexpressed or mutated in various human cancers and therefore an important therapeutic target. We are interested in the inactivation mechanism of EGFR by different families of protein tyrosine phosphatases PTPN1, RPTPK, and DUSP3. We use a variety of biochemical techniques to answer questions on EGFR inactivation. Students working in the laboratory will gain experience in molecular biology, recombinant protein over-expression, protein purification and enzyme assays. Biochemical techniques employed in the laboratory include chromatography, enzyme assays using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and mass spectrometer.