Nucleic acids
Our research focuses on the design, synthesis, and application of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in biomedicine and biotechnology. We explore their structure, function, and interactions to control and better understand gene expression, epigenetics, and evolution.
Key areas of research include nucleic acid chemistry, biosensing, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology. Our work is advancing gene therapy, targeted drug delivery, disease diagnostics, and bioengineering, with the aim of improving precision medicine and developing next-generation therapeutics.
By developing synthetic nucleic acids and new technologies, we aim to drive innovation in healthcare and biotechnology, translating fundamental discoveries into practical solutions.
Glycans
We focus on a breadth of research related to glycans, i.e., carbohydrates. It spans areas such as cell biology, human nutrition, medicine, carbohydrate-based materials, and the conversion of carbohydrates into energy. This includes the analysis, synthesis, biosynthesis, and modification of carbohydrates.
With its focus on natural carbohydrates and members with various expertise, the glycan hub is well-positioned to combine glycobiology and carbohydrate chemistry, which will lead to discovery of novel functions of glycans and development of new technology and materials.
Proteins
We have leading research expertise and groups with a focus on acquiring a molecular-level understanding of protein structure and function. We have key facilities supporting these efforts:
- Macromolecular Crystallisation Facility
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy facility
- Centre for Proteomic Research (which house structural mass spectrometry capabilities, such as hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry)
Key areas of research include developing technologies and methods to move structural biology investigations into more biologically relevant contexts, including in living cells and organs, as well as exploring how proteins move and perturb over time and under stress. By doing so then we can provide a more accurate and revealing outlook on how proteins control health and disease states, and how we can better develop drugs to target them.
Lipids
Our research focuses on both the identification of lipid species and compositions (supported by the Southampton Clinical Metabolomics Unit (CMU)) as well as deciphering how lipids behave within, and control, membranes and their influences over membrane protein activity and structure. Bringing together an interdisciplinary outlook capable of understanding soft matter and biological phenomena such as lipid nanodomain formation, membrane drug partitioning, lipid-facilitated protein folding and dynamics, and membrane signatures in cancer and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.