The Structural Biology theme centres on understanding the biological and biomedical significance of protein-protein, protein-DNA and protein-inhibitor complexes. The theme consists of six research groups within the school with an excellent track record in raising research funding which includes a Wellcome Trust Career Development Award, SFI PIYRA award, an NH R01 award and EU FP7 funding.
Protein structural determination is a key discipline underpinning applied research in the area of bio and nano-technology, sustainable chemistry and biomedicine. This is necessary not only for the rational design of novel drugs that target particular proteins, but also for the engineering of enzymes for specific industrial processes. In addition, determination of the structure and function of biomacromolecules in relation to their integration and regulation in complex cellular processes is needed to understand living cells better. Such knowledge is necessary for progress in the development of treatments for the range of diseases (infectious, neurodegenerative, vascular and cancer) studied both in SBBS and throughout UCD.
It is envisaged that future expansion of the Structural Biology capability within UCD would encompass the development of milligram scale protein purification, crystallisation, an imaging high-throughput robotics facility and an X-ray facility and ungrading of current biophysical capabilities. Such facilities would be made available as a national resource enabling collaboration and profiling research within SBBS and UCD.
Academics in the Structural Biology theme:
- Dr. Patrick Caffrey
- Prof. Paul Engel
- Dr. Chandralal Hewage
- Prof. Paul Malthouse
- Dr. Cormac Murphy
- Dr. Jens Nielsen (currently on career break)
- Dr. Kevin O' Connor
- Prof. Dominic Walsh (currently on career break)