Research
My laboratory pursues structural studies on proteins and enzymes with X-ray crystallography as the lead experimental technique. The interest in particular proteins is motivated by biological context, with an emphasis on signalling processes and enzyme-catalysed reactions. Currently the laboratory is focussing on aspects of cell wall synthesis in the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Cell wall synthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) affects some 8 million new patients every year, and, according to the WHO, is the most important factor of death attributable to a single pathogen. About one third of the world population is estimated to carry the aetiological agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with a worrying rise of infections involving multi-drug resistant strains of this pathogen. The unique cell wall of mycobacteria is characterized by a highly complex structure of covalently linked mycolic acids, arabinogalactan and peptidoglycan chains. It offers effective protection against many common antibiotics, and at the same time presents an opportunity for the development of target-specific therapeutics. In collaboration with Prof. Gurdyal (Del) Besra’s laboratory, we have determined several structures grouped around the theme of mycobacterial cell wall synthesis. Current projects focus on aspects of regulation of cell wall synthesis through Ser/Thr kinase signalling and enzymatic components of the fatty acid synthase systems, which present multiple opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
