Structural Biology

Strucural biology Dazl and RNA
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Structural Biology

Our research

The structure of biological molecules and the complexes they form underpins most biological function. Therefore, structural biology is a key tool in modern biological discovery. We want to understand the structures of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, and the complexes they form. Structural biology also encompasses understanding how those structures move, and incorporates the principles of molecular biology, biochemistry biophysics, modelling and simulation.

Academics in Structural Biology

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Postdoctoral Researchers in Structural Biology

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Research themes

Proteostasis research theme within Structural Biology research at the University of Leeds Proteostasis

Proteostasis

Proteins perform a vast array of functions, underpinning every aspect of biology. Research in proteostasis seeks to understand the lifecycle of protein molecules: how they are made, folded, and degraded, and how disease results when these processes go wrong.

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Structural virology research theme within structural biology research at the University of Leeds Structural Virology

Structural Virology

Viruses are obligate parasites that infect hosts in all kingdoms of life. Understanding the structure of viruses, viral proteins, and the complexes they form with host proteins is therefore critical in human and animal health, and in food security.

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Macromolecular complexes Macromolecular Complexes

Macromolecular Complexes

Researchers in Leeds are working to understand the structure and function of a diverse array of macromolecular complexes, including those involved in metabolism, transport, and antimicrobial resistance.

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Signaling and cancer research in the structural biology research group at the University of Leeds Signaling and Cancer

Signaling and Cancer

A major interest of researchers in Leeds is to understand cellular signaling – the basic processes and communication that underpins normal cellular function – and how these signaling pathways become deranged in disease, especially cancer.

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Research facilities

Cryo-Electron Microscopy

An essential tool in modern biology equipped with state-of-the-art microscopes for both scanning and transmission EM of ambient and cryogenicaly prepared samples.

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Mass Spectrometry

Biomolecular MS analysis is supported by state-of-the-art instruments:- five Synapt HDMS / NanoMate instruments with in-built ion mobility and MS/MS capabilities including high-mass modifications and custom ETD and SID fragmentation modules.

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Affimer Screening

The Bioscreening Technology Screening Group (BTSG) provides a collaborative approach to generating Affimer reagents to academics, clinicians and industrial partners.

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X-Ray Crystallography

The University of Leeds has historically been strong in the area of X-ray crystallography and external investment has provided funding for an in-house X-ray set (high flux MicroMax007 microfocus rotating anode generator with VariMax optics and Raxis4++ detector and cryostream).

Biomolecular Interactions

A wide range of techniques are available to analyse and quantify the interactions of biomolecules and their function (ranging from analytical centrifugation (two Beckman XLI instruments) to calorimetry (MicroCal iTC200 and DSC), SPR and thermophoresis).