Research Strands

Research Groups

The Institute is composed of 24 active research groups drawn from the departments of Molecular and Cell Biology / Chemistry / Respiratory Sciences) and affiliated members from across the University.

Research strands

Research at the institute is organised into four inter-related research strands:

Understanding the structure and mechanism of macromolecular complexes

• Some of the most challenging questions in biology involve understanding the structure and mechanism of action of the molecular machines that carry out the processes of life.

Structure-based drug discovery and design

• Structural biology provides us enormous insight into the mechanism of action of macromolecules and complexes. At the same time it provides detailed insights into strategies to develop small and medium-sized molecules that can alter protein functions and serve as effective therapeutics.

Using single molecule techniques to understand complex and dynamic biological processes

• Many fundamental cellular processes rely on highly dynamic interactions between macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. Single molecule techniques allow us to observe and understand these processes in real time.

Chemical biology, chemical probes and compound libraries development

• Understanding how macromolecules carry out their many diverse activities requires an understanding of the underlying chemistry which determines the behaviour of these complexes. By exploiting this chemistry, we are able to manipulate macromolecular function and activity. This is important both for drug development, as well as the development of research tools.