Biotechnology harnesses biological processes in the development of new technologies and products.
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We aim to address key challenges around the behaviour of biomolecules at interfaces with synthetic materials in order to solve societal challenges.
Our researchers are developing bio-inspired chemical systems to creating new molecules for applications across multiple, critical technologies, including for super-charged biocatalysts that can breakdown plastics or quantify pollutants.
Research groups
The research theme draws together a number of research groups working innovation through the power of chemical biotechnology.
Barry Group - Natural products
The group focuses on understanding and exploiting the natural product biosynthesis in pursuit of novel compounds and biocatalysts. Our approach is multi-disciplinary requiring organic synthesis, molecular biology and biochemistry as well as a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods.
Brogan Group - Pushing the boundaries of biological systems
At the interface between science and engineering, the Brogan Group develops enzyme-based biotechnologies for a more sustainable, renewable, economy. Projects include developing solvent-free liquid proteins as a novel biomaterial for the deployment of enzymes in industry, and designing and synthesising ionic liquid infiltrated polymer networks, “ionogels”, as versatile soft materials for biocatalysis and drug delivery.
Hess Group - Next generation metal-based complexes
Hess leads a bioinorganic chemistry research group developing innovative molecular approaches to treat diseases. They are especially interested in applying modern medicinal chemistry and molecular design approaches to develop novel bioactive metal complexes. By integrating structural analysis, chemical synthesis, and precise molecular targeting, they create transformative probes and compounds to be used as chemical biology tools and potential new therapeutics. Through advanced molecular design methodologies, the group aim to develop more effective therapeutic interventions and deepen our understanding of metal-based medicines.
Jefferson Group - Dynamic membrane signaling complexes
The Jefferson Group studies how dynamic protein complexes influence cell membrane signalling. They aim to design receptors and signalling components with altered functions. By understanding protein-protein interactions and their role in disease, the group develops methods to model conformational dynamics. This knowledge enables the engineering of new protein-based therapies and synthetic biology tools.
McTernan Group - Supramolecular chemistry in biomedical science
The McTernan Group is a synthetic chemistry group working in supramolecular and biological chemistry, and nanotechnology. It aims to apply recent breakthroughs in artificial molecular machines and metal-organic capsules in biologically relevant settings. They work with rotaxanes, catenanes and capsules to synthesise functional architectures, creating de novo catalytic enzyme analogues, artificial cellular receptors, and generating targeted drug delivery vehicles.
Müller Group - Synthetic protein chemistry
The Müller Group focuses on developing and applying chemical biology tools to elucidate how proteins are controlled by molecular on/off switches. They use semi-synthesis to generate ‘designer’ proteins to directly measure the structural and functional consequences of modifications.
Surman Lab - Supramolecular/nano/systems
The Surman Lab’s broad interests centre around supramolecular chemistry, analytical chemistry, and nanomaterials, with capabilities in synthesis, analysis, very heterogenous systems, and data-driven approaches. The Lab applies these to solve both practical problems (probing industrial materials, sustainable chemistry, theranostics), and fundamental questions, including catalysis control, unravelling life’s heterogenous polymers (e.g. melanin), and the Origin of Life.
Taylor Group - Artificial nucleic acid chemical biology
In the Taylor group, chemical biology meets synthetic biology. They use cell-free systems to explore evolution with alternative building blocks beyond DNA, RNA and proteins, and engineer artificial “XNA” polymers into novel tools and technologies for research and medicine. The lab is exploring routes to improved oligonucleotide technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, whilst addressing fundamental questions about evolution.
Ulmschneider Group - Peptide and protein functions
Martin Ulmschneider’s group studies how peptides and proteins interact with cellular membranes and carry out their biological functions. The group uses both computational and experimental techniques to reveal the molecular mechanisms and atomic detail interactions driving membrane active peptide and protein function in biological lipid bilayers, as well as to design and optimize synthetic membrane active peptides for biomedical applications.
Wallace Group - Engineering artificial cell membranes
This group builds artificial mimics of cell membranes; both to improve our understanding of membrane biology, and to engineer new devices inspired by biology. Their approach is to dismantle the membrane into its component parts, and then rebuild it from scratch to understand what’s going on. They do this using a range of optical techniques capable of watching individual molecules.
Research groups
The research theme draws together a number of research groups working innovation through the power of chemical biotechnology.
Barry Group - Natural products
The group focuses on understanding and exploiting the natural product biosynthesis in pursuit of novel compounds and biocatalysts. Our approach is multi-disciplinary requiring organic synthesis, molecular biology and biochemistry as well as a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods.
Brogan Group - Pushing the boundaries of biological systems
At the interface between science and engineering, the Brogan Group develops enzyme-based biotechnologies for a more sustainable, renewable, economy. Projects include developing solvent-free liquid proteins as a novel biomaterial for the deployment of enzymes in industry, and designing and synthesising ionic liquid infiltrated polymer networks, “ionogels”, as versatile soft materials for biocatalysis and drug delivery.
Hess Group - Next generation metal-based complexes
Hess leads a bioinorganic chemistry research group developing innovative molecular approaches to treat diseases. They are especially interested in applying modern medicinal chemistry and molecular design approaches to develop novel bioactive metal complexes. By integrating structural analysis, chemical synthesis, and precise molecular targeting, they create transformative probes and compounds to be used as chemical biology tools and potential new therapeutics. Through advanced molecular design methodologies, the group aim to develop more effective therapeutic interventions and deepen our understanding of metal-based medicines.
Jefferson Group - Dynamic membrane signaling complexes
The Jefferson Group studies how dynamic protein complexes influence cell membrane signalling. They aim to design receptors and signalling components with altered functions. By understanding protein-protein interactions and their role in disease, the group develops methods to model conformational dynamics. This knowledge enables the engineering of new protein-based therapies and synthetic biology tools.
McTernan Group - Supramolecular chemistry in biomedical science
The McTernan Group is a synthetic chemistry group working in supramolecular and biological chemistry, and nanotechnology. It aims to apply recent breakthroughs in artificial molecular machines and metal-organic capsules in biologically relevant settings. They work with rotaxanes, catenanes and capsules to synthesise functional architectures, creating de novo catalytic enzyme analogues, artificial cellular receptors, and generating targeted drug delivery vehicles.
Müller Group - Synthetic protein chemistry
The Müller Group focuses on developing and applying chemical biology tools to elucidate how proteins are controlled by molecular on/off switches. They use semi-synthesis to generate ‘designer’ proteins to directly measure the structural and functional consequences of modifications.
Surman Lab - Supramolecular/nano/systems
The Surman Lab’s broad interests centre around supramolecular chemistry, analytical chemistry, and nanomaterials, with capabilities in synthesis, analysis, very heterogenous systems, and data-driven approaches. The Lab applies these to solve both practical problems (probing industrial materials, sustainable chemistry, theranostics), and fundamental questions, including catalysis control, unravelling life’s heterogenous polymers (e.g. melanin), and the Origin of Life.
Taylor Group - Artificial nucleic acid chemical biology
In the Taylor group, chemical biology meets synthetic biology. They use cell-free systems to explore evolution with alternative building blocks beyond DNA, RNA and proteins, and engineer artificial “XNA” polymers into novel tools and technologies for research and medicine. The lab is exploring routes to improved oligonucleotide technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, whilst addressing fundamental questions about evolution.
Ulmschneider Group - Peptide and protein functions
Martin Ulmschneider’s group studies how peptides and proteins interact with cellular membranes and carry out their biological functions. The group uses both computational and experimental techniques to reveal the molecular mechanisms and atomic detail interactions driving membrane active peptide and protein function in biological lipid bilayers, as well as to design and optimize synthetic membrane active peptides for biomedical applications.
Wallace Group - Engineering artificial cell membranes
This group builds artificial mimics of cell membranes; both to improve our understanding of membrane biology, and to engineer new devices inspired by biology. Their approach is to dismantle the membrane into its component parts, and then rebuild it from scratch to understand what’s going on. They do this using a range of optical techniques capable of watching individual molecules.
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