The Biological Chemistry Section focuses on a range of problems at the interface of chemistry, biology and medicine. These studies are both of fundamental interest and importance, such as studies of the coupling of enzyme motions to catalysis, and of more immediate societal relevance, such as the generation of new drugs (antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agents), pest control agents and molecular tools, based on our growing knowledge of these systems and our key strengths in these fields. Research in biological chemistry at Cardiff covers a diverse range of themes including enzyme catalysis and synthetic biology, manipulating biomolecular interactions, biomolecular NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
Ymchwil
The Biological Chemistry group focuses on problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, physics, engineering and medicine with particular strengths in biocatalysis, mechanistic enzymology, bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, synthetic biology, biomolecular interactions, biomolecular NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, biophotonics and optogenetics, organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
Enzyme catalysis
Our research goals are to probe enzymatic reaction mechanisms, elucidating the role of protein dynamics and quantum mechanical effects in catalysis, and tailoring substrate selectivity for synthetic chemistry purposes.
Current projects include:
- Enzymology of terpenoid biosynthesis and synthetic biology approaches for expansion of the pool of these secondary metabolites to include novel terpenoid-like compounds with applications as drugs and crop protection agents.
- Combined experimental and theoretical investigations of the role of protein motions and hydride tunnelling in enzyme catalysis, using dihydrofolate reductase as a model system.
- Studies of enzymes involved in antibiotic resistance or which could be novel targets for antibiotics.
Manipulating biomolecular interactions including biophotonics and optogenetics
Our aims are to control interactions between biomolecules by inducing conformational switching using small molecules or light.
Current projects include:
- Photonic control of protein-protein interactions to regulate the apoptotic pathway in cells.
- Chemical and enzymatic synthesis of flavins and their analogues and application of these cofactors in protein photoswitches for synthetic biology.
- Controlling interactions of RNA molecules in cells using peptides and nucleic acid analogues.
- Investigation of the immunogenic properties of cyclic peptides with potential applications in anti-cancer vaccines.
Biomolecular NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
NMR work is performed using our flagship 600 MHz Bruker NMR spectrometer equipped with a quadruple resonance QCI cryoprobe, as well as national high-field NMR facilities. Mass spectrometry studies benefit heavily from our Waters Synapt ion mobility mass spectrometer.
Current projects include:
- NMR investigations of protein structure and dynamics in response to environmental changes.
- NMR studies of amyloid-beta peptides (the causative agents of Alzheimer's Disease) in complex with metal ions.
- Mass spectrometry tools for structural elucidation of cyclic peptides
Organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry
Much attention within the section is focused on the synthesis of compounds with important biological properties, which complement our interests in enzyme catalysis.
Current projects include:
- Synthetic precursor or intermediate analogues for terpene synthases, to generate expanded product diversity (including novel artemisinin analogues active against malaria) or to probe the reaction mechanism.
- Development of inhibitors of the enzyme calpain-1, a potential target for anti-inflammatory therapy in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Studies of the synthesis and biosynthesis of novel antibiotics.
Find out more details of group members specific research interests by looking at their individual profiles under the people tab.
Cwrdd â'r tîm
Group Leader
Yr Athro John Pickett
- pickettj4@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2251 0838
Staff academaidd
Yr Athro Rudolf Allemann
- allemannrk@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2068 8443
Dr Louis Luk
- lukly@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2251 0161
Yr Athro John Pickett
- pickettj4@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2251 0838
Dr Guto Rhys
- rhysg3@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0) 29 2087 6002
Dr Michaela Serpi
- serpim5@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5571
Camau nesaf
Ymchwil sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth
Mae ein hymchwil yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau pobl wrth i ni gweithio ar draws disgyblaethau er mwyn ymgodymu â phrif heriau sy’n wynebu’r gymdeithas, yr economi ac ein hamgylchedd.
Ymchwil ôl-raddedig
Mae ein graddau ymchwil yn rhoi'r rhyddid i chi i archwilio pwnc arbennig mewn dyfnder ymhlith ymchwilwyr blaenllaw.
Ein heffaith ymchwil
Mae'r astudiaethau achos hyn yn rhoi sylw i rai o'r meysydd lle rydym yn cael effaith ymchwil gadarnhaol.