Robert McKenna, Ph.D.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
College of Medicine
Robert McKenna’s research reveals the detailed structures of viruses and enzymes, showing how biological systems function and can be targeted for therapy at the atomic level.
Over three decades at the University of Florida, McKenna has built a research program centered on a simple but powerful idea: structure drives function. By using advanced imaging techniques, his laboratory visualizes biological molecules in high resolution, allowing scientists to see how subtle changes in conformation at the amino acids level affect behavior. His work aims to understand what molecules look like at the atomic level and how that structure determines their function, “connecting fundamental biology to practical medical advances”.
A major focus of his studies is Adeno-associated viruses that play a central role in gene therapy. These small viruses can be used to deliver healthy genes to patients. McKenna’s work has helped define how these viruses assemble, how they enter human cells and how their capsid structure determines which tissues they target. His discoveries provide a blueprint for designing more precise and effective gene therapies, helping guide both academic research and biotechnology development.
McKenna has also made significant contributions to understanding the family of carbonic anhydrase enzymes, that are involved in regulating processes throughout the body and linked to cancer, glaucoma and other diseases. His research has identified structural features that allow scientists to design drugs that target specific forms of these enzymes, improving effectiveness while reducing side effects.
That combination of detailed discovery and real-world application, as department chair Matthew Gentry noted, reflects a research program that “continues to advance the field and drive meaningful translational impact,” describing McKenna as “a scientific powerhouse” whose work exemplifies sustained excellence.
A defining strength of McKenna’s work is its integration of multiple approaches, including X-ray and neutron crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and computational analysis, to study increasingly complex biological systems. His research not only advances scientific understanding but also provides practical strategies for designing new therapies, from engineered viral vectors to targeted drugs.
As director of the Center for Structural Biology, he supports research across disciplines while mentoring students and early-career scientists. Through his work in the laboratory and the broader research community, McKenna continues to shape the field of structural biology and its applications in medicine.