Our research Deciphering fundamental mechanisms in health and disease. Cytoskeleton and motors Curious how cells are kept running like well-oiled machines, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan uses high resolution, live cell imaging to investigate cellular dynamics within the crowded environment inside mammalian cells. Gene regulation with single cell resolution Scott Berry wants to uncover the basic mechanisms in a cell involved in controlling gene expression. While DNA encodes the genetic blueprint for development, other factors – including environmental signals, hormones, stress – influence when and how much of these genes are active within our cells. Cell Motility and Mechanobiology The Biro Group investigates how immune cells locate and kill cancer cells, adopting multi-disciplinary methods encompassing biophysics, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and mathematical and coputational modelling. Molecular machines –what makes them tick? The Böcking team wants to understand how molecular machines work by reconstituting the protein interactions and watching them using single molecule imaging. Calcium signalling The Davis team uses live cell imaging to investigate calcium signals inside cells. Being able to image these signalling events across multiple scales lets them observe the behaviour of individual cells, and how this behaviour is coordinated with neighbouring cells to ultimately control the function of the organ. InteracTeam: Watching proteins at work The Sierecki/Gambin team uses single-molecule approaches—to watch proteins working with each other—that are ten times faster than traditional approaches, to see how proteins clump together, leading to cell death and Parkinson’s disease. Lymphocyte signalling Jesse Goyette wants to understand exactly how T cells transmit signals to initiate an immune response. How does the T cell receptor work? What does a T cell need to be activated? Structural Virology The Jacques team is teasing apart the molecular interactions between viral and host proteins to figure out how viruses like HIV escape defence networks. Signalling Nanodomains Electrical and chemical signals generated within cells, tissues and organ systems drive vital functions. Izzy Jayasinghe and her team investigate how these signals are relayed to trigger a heartbeat, and drive other bodily functions, by combing super-resolution microscopy tools they develop with existing technologies. Molecular self-assembly Lawrence Lee and his team are building nature’s extraordinary molecular machines to uncover how brainless molecules self-assemble into sophisticated nanoscopic machines. Theory of biological systems Richard Morris is a physicist interested in investigating and quantifying the behaviour of living systems. He believes that modern biology goes hand-in-hand with theory and physics, where theoretical physics has an important role in influencing biological research. InteracTeam: Protein-Protein interactions The Sierecki/Gambin team is mapping protein interactions; by combining cell-free protein expression with AlphaScreen and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, they can rapidly screen large numbers of binding partners. Cellular mechanotransduction The Poole group wants to understand how cells sense touch. Electrical signals are generated in many cell types in response to mechanical stimuli. Being able to tune these signals provides a way to manage many biological functions. Associated research Biophysics of Nuclear Organisation Liz has developed a method—microscopy combined with fluorescence fluctuation analysis—to track the movement of molecules around the complex DNA networks within the nuclei of live cells. Endosomal networks in immunology When a T cell in our immune system gets the right signal it leaps into action within seconds - taking on one of many different roles in fighting the infection. Cellular physiology Using the high resolution 3-D long-term imaging technologies at SMS, Senthil wants to learn exactly how viruses interact with host cells to avoid being killed. Genomics for preventative medicine Using next generation sequencing technology, Bennett and his team are decoding how changes in our genetic code alters the function of those genes.
Cytoskeleton and motors Curious how cells are kept running like well-oiled machines, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan uses high resolution, live cell imaging to investigate cellular dynamics within the crowded environment inside mammalian cells.
Gene regulation with single cell resolution Scott Berry wants to uncover the basic mechanisms in a cell involved in controlling gene expression. While DNA encodes the genetic blueprint for development, other factors – including environmental signals, hormones, stress – influence when and how much of these genes are active within our cells.
Cell Motility and Mechanobiology The Biro Group investigates how immune cells locate and kill cancer cells, adopting multi-disciplinary methods encompassing biophysics, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and mathematical and coputational modelling.
Molecular machines –what makes them tick? The Böcking team wants to understand how molecular machines work by reconstituting the protein interactions and watching them using single molecule imaging.
Calcium signalling The Davis team uses live cell imaging to investigate calcium signals inside cells. Being able to image these signalling events across multiple scales lets them observe the behaviour of individual cells, and how this behaviour is coordinated with neighbouring cells to ultimately control the function of the organ.
InteracTeam: Watching proteins at work The Sierecki/Gambin team uses single-molecule approaches—to watch proteins working with each other—that are ten times faster than traditional approaches, to see how proteins clump together, leading to cell death and Parkinson’s disease.
Lymphocyte signalling Jesse Goyette wants to understand exactly how T cells transmit signals to initiate an immune response. How does the T cell receptor work? What does a T cell need to be activated?
Structural Virology The Jacques team is teasing apart the molecular interactions between viral and host proteins to figure out how viruses like HIV escape defence networks.
Signalling Nanodomains Electrical and chemical signals generated within cells, tissues and organ systems drive vital functions. Izzy Jayasinghe and her team investigate how these signals are relayed to trigger a heartbeat, and drive other bodily functions, by combing super-resolution microscopy tools they develop with existing technologies.
Molecular self-assembly Lawrence Lee and his team are building nature’s extraordinary molecular machines to uncover how brainless molecules self-assemble into sophisticated nanoscopic machines.
Theory of biological systems Richard Morris is a physicist interested in investigating and quantifying the behaviour of living systems. He believes that modern biology goes hand-in-hand with theory and physics, where theoretical physics has an important role in influencing biological research.
InteracTeam: Protein-Protein interactions The Sierecki/Gambin team is mapping protein interactions; by combining cell-free protein expression with AlphaScreen and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, they can rapidly screen large numbers of binding partners.
Cellular mechanotransduction The Poole group wants to understand how cells sense touch. Electrical signals are generated in many cell types in response to mechanical stimuli. Being able to tune these signals provides a way to manage many biological functions.
Biophysics of Nuclear Organisation Liz has developed a method—microscopy combined with fluorescence fluctuation analysis—to track the movement of molecules around the complex DNA networks within the nuclei of live cells.
Endosomal networks in immunology When a T cell in our immune system gets the right signal it leaps into action within seconds - taking on one of many different roles in fighting the infection.
Cellular physiology Using the high resolution 3-D long-term imaging technologies at SMS, Senthil wants to learn exactly how viruses interact with host cells to avoid being killed.
Genomics for preventative medicine Using next generation sequencing technology, Bennett and his team are decoding how changes in our genetic code alters the function of those genes.
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