Structural Biology
To understand how biological processes are orchestrated, it is essential to have knowledge of molecular structure. The binding of enzymes to their substrates; the recognition of antigens by antibodies; the ways that viruses enter and exit a cell. All of these processes are most readily understood in terms of the molecules involved, and their three-dimensional organization. Consequently, our research involves the study of molecular architecture, and its application to biology. We examine the organization of individual biological molecules, as well as the complexes into which these molecules assemble in vivo. We use a variety of physical techniques to study molecular structure, the most important of these being X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and solution NMR spectroscopy.
Professor Ted Baker and Dr. Shaun Lott participate in an international program to elucidate the structures of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. This has lead naturally to projects in structural bioinformatics, which aim to predict protein function from molecular structure. There are also studies of proteins that regulate sodium channels (Dr. Shaun Lott); of proteins that confer antibiotic resistance to bacteria (Assoc. Prof. Peter Metcalf); and proteins from pathogenic bacteria that disrupt the human immune system (Professor Ted Baker).
The assembly and organization of enveloped RNA viruses is the focus of Richard Kingston's research. Dr. Andrew Dingley's research group uses NMR spectroscopy to study the structure and dynamics of cell signalling complexes and how antimicrobial proteins interact with membranes. Assoc.Prof. Alok Mitra's research investigates structure/function relationships of membrane protein channels and macromolecular machines using cryo-electron microscopy and crystallography. The studies focus on pore-forming toxins colicin and anthrax toxin; membrane proteins aquaporin water channel, magnesium transporter and bacitracin regulator; macromolecular complexes of novel tubular bacterial appendages, peroxisome import machinery and Orfvirus gene product.
Professor Ted Baker
Dr. Andrew Dingley
Dr David Goldstone
Dr. Richard Kingston
Dr. Shaun Lott
Associate Professor Peter Metcalf
Associate Professor Alok Mitra
Dr Christopher Squire