Robert R. Birge

The Harold S. Schwenk, Sr., Distinguished Chair in Chemistry

Robert Birge’s research involves protein engineering. His basic research on vision is on how the cone pigments work. His research team has already solved basic questions about how UV pigments work in cones, the color-sensing cells of the retina. Now his focus is on the deep red pigments.

His applied work is on an archeal protein that has been on the planet for 3.5 billion years. He uses it to make artificial retinas, among other things. His ultimate goal is to make a computer with true artificial intelligence.

Podcast

For more information: http://chemistry.uconn.edu/birge.html