Project Leaders
Prof. Tony Maxwell - Head of DepartmentOur research aims and objectives are to investigate the structure and mechanism of DNA topoisomerases and associated proteins in order to further our understanding of key biological processes in which they are involved and to harness this knowledge for the development of therapeutic agents. |
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Dr. Stephen Bornemann - Associate Head of DepartmentThis multidisciplinary group studies plant and microbial enzymes using biochemical and biophysical techniques along with complementary molecular biology studies addressing their physiological functions. Current topics include starch granule surface enzymology and nodulation signalling. |
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Dr. Janneke BalkMy research is focussed on the role of metals, in particular iron, in plants and microbes. Iron is a versatile catalyst most commonly associated with proteins in the form of iron-sulfur clusters or haem. In the past years we have identified several proteins that are involved in the assembly of iron-sulfur proteins, using the model plant Arabidopsis, the green alga Chlamydomonas and yeasts. Ultimately, the iron that plants take up from the soil and use for their own needs is an important source of human iron nutrition. |
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Dr. Mark BanfieldThe Banfield group primarily investigates molecular interactions at the host:pathogen interface, with a particular focus on 'effector' proteins that are translocated into host cells during infection. Our experimental method of choice is structure determination by X-ray crystallography, but we also use a wide variety of other biophysical techniques appropriate to answering relevant biological questions. |
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Prof. Dave EvansBionanotechnology and Chemical Insights into Biological Systems. "Bionanotechnology: the virus-chemistry interface", is a new programme of research that utilises the plant virus Cowpea mosaic virus as a synthon and scaffold/template for use in the engineering and construction of novel nanomaterials and biosurfaces. |
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Prof. Rob FieldThe Field group is diverse in its activities, which range from organic synthesis to mechanistic enzymology and chemical biology. The common theme that runs throughout is carbohydrates. |
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Dr. David LawsonWe use the protein X-ray crystallography to study the structure and function of proteins at the molecular level and have strong collaborations with other scientists within the John Innes Centre. |
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Prof. George LomonossoffWe study the specificity of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions in the morphogenesis of virus structures, the modification of virus particles and the uses of such particles in biotechnology, and the development of RNA plant virus-based vectors and their application for expression of high-value proteins of pharmaceutical interest in plants. |
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Dr Sarah O'ConnorThe O'Connor group is dedicated to elucidating the chemical and biological processes involved in metabolism. We are particularly interested in the processes involved in the biosynthesis of complex molecules known as specialised metabolites or "natural products." Our group uses enzymology, plant biology and chemical synthesis to decipher and engineer these pathways. |
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Senior Scientists
Dr. Mike Naldrett - Head of Proteomics FacilityThe proteomics facility comprises two state-of-the art mass spectrometers, a Bruker UltraFlex MALDI-ToF/ToF and a Waters Q-ToF II fitted with a CapLC system. In addition, duplicate sets of sample preparation robots (Genomic Solutions) are located at the JIC and IFR for 2-D gel electrophoresis, gel staining/destaining, gel imaging, spot-picking, proteolytic digestion and MALDI-plate loading. |
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