Susan Shao studies the molecular mechanisms that actively curate cellular proteomes. Proteins carry out most biological functions. Thus, the quantity and quality of specific proteins must be carefully regulated to maintain health and prevent disease. The Shao lab uses biochemistry, structural biology, and cell biological approaches to understand how protein biosynthesis and degradation factors work to achieve cellular homeostasis, and how these mechanisms are tuned to meet the distinct needs of specialized cells, such as red blood cells and neurons.