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Department of Chemistry
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Chemical and Structural biology

Research in the theme brings together world-leading research in Structural Biology and Chemical Biology as two complementary areas of expertise. By uniting these two areas, we provide new insights into the structure and function of biomacromolecules, while developing new tools for medicine and biotechnology. 

Key to this research is interdisciplinarity and collaboration, encompassing research from across the breadth of the biological and physical sciences. The Theme contains two research centres: the Centre for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology and the York Structural Biology Laboratory. 

Structural Biology

Researchers in the York Structural Biology Laboratory focus on visualizing, modeling, and understanding biological systems at the atomic level. This is  enabled by world-leading facilities for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, and biomolecular NMR. Specific research areas include:

  • Studying the fundamental structural and chemical basis for biochemical processes with high resolution structural techniques
  • Imaging intact cells at the molecular level with cryogenic electron tomography to observe how biomolecules come together to create a living cell
  • Developing computational methods for robust and insightful structural biology  (e.g. CCP4, Coot).

Chemical Biology

Researchers in the Centre for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology span the areas of bio-organic and bio-inorganic chemistry, and the analysis of biological systems. A key focus is the development of tools and techniques that can probe, control, or engineer biological systems at a molecular level. Specific research areas include  

  • The design and synthesis of targeted chemical probes, inhibitors, and activity-based reagents
  • Chemical approaches to synthesise and modify proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
  • The study and redesign of enzymes for biocatalysis and biofuel production. 
  • The development of tools to study and characterise biomolecular interactions.

Collaborations

Researchers in the theme have extensive national and international collaborations. We have strong links to groups in the Department of Biology and the School of Physics and Engineering in York.  Many members of the theme are part of the York Biomedical Research Institute, and collaborate closely with the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, and Centre for Blood Research.

Facilities

Our work is underpinned by cutting-edge facilities bridging chemical and structural biology. The structural biology facilities are housed in the custom-built Eleanor and Guy Dodson Building, and our labs across the department are exceptionally well equipped for molecular biology, protein expression and purification in addition to synthetic chemistry. More specialist facilities include biological electrochemistry and automated peptide/glycan synthesis.

Staff