The Structural Biology Research Interest Group aims to understand how individual proteins and assemblies of proteins function in cells and organisms. Researchers in the group determine the detailed structures of proteins in order to understand how they work. Since proteins are very complex molecules, they need to be studied by sophisticated methods using advanced technologies such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and various spectroscopic methods. The Group is in close interaction and has sufficient overlap with the Biophysics RIG. Members of the Group also study how proteins fold en route to being secreted from cells, the structures of some of the carriers and 'chaperones' which assist folding, and the process of 'misfolding' which underlies many diseases.

The group gains regular access to synchrotron data collection facilities at Diamond and ESRF through the UK Midlands block allocation scheme in operation with the Universities of Birmingham, Keele, Leicester, Manchester and Nottingham.

The group holds regular seminars on Fridays 3-4 pm at BSR5.

For further information please contact Vilmos Fulop, RIG convenor.

Schedule of forthcoming group activities