Vincent (Vinnie) Tagliabracci wants to reveal new functions and catalytic activities for a group of enzymes that influence every aspect of cell life, from communication to division. Tagliabracci and his team study members of the protein kinase superfamily by bioinformatically identifying divergent or atypical members that are yet uncharacterized. The team uncovers unique functions and activities using biochemistry, structural biology, and mass spectrometry. They are specifically focused on the role of protein kinase-mediated AMPylation and polyglutamylation in cell signaling, redox regulation, and host-pathogen interactions, and the novel functions and catalytic activities of “pseudokinases.” This work has implications for the fundamental understanding of cellular signaling, regulation, and host-pathogen interactions.