A main focus of Dr. Bobik's research is bacterial microcompartments (MCPs). Bacterial MCPs are a widespread family of proteinaceous organelles that have diverse roles in bacterial physiology as well as a number of potential biotechnology applications. However, many aspects of MCP structure and function are unknown and only a few types of MCPs have been characterized in any detail. Hence, more research is needed to understand the importance of MCPs among diverse bacteria and to develop MCP-based biotechnologies.

Bacterial genetics and metabolism are the main area of expertise in Dr. Bobik's lab. These areas have broad application in biotechnology and biomedicine. The lab's research approach is interdisciplinary involving bacterial genetics, protein biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology.