Chemical Biology Research at Warwick

Why Chemical Biology?

Many biological processes can be thought of as a series of discrete chemical reactions. Likewise, all biological molecules are made up of the same building blocks we study in chemistry. Therefore,as chemical biologists, we use the tools that we learn in chemistry to better understand biological processes, as well as the structures and functions of biological molecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, natural products). Work in our laboratories focuses on the discovery of novel bioactive compounds and therapeutics, and on the mechanistic elucidation of novel biochemical pathways, as well as providing new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and microbial infection.

Chemical Biology at Warwick has the guiding view that “chemistry is the language of biology” and recognises that chemical principles and techniques lie at the heart of many modern multidisciplinary efforts in the life sciences. Although much successful research in the past has been done, understanding the molecular basis of biological systems will help us to target diseases more efficiently and to develop new tools for a rational and wise use of natural resources. Ultimately this new area of research will lead us towards major progresses in the control of molecular processes for a better quality of life and sustainable development.

What Chemical Biology Research do we do?

Chemical Biology research at Warwick encompasses a broad range of key disciplines including chemical synthesis, structural biology, enzymology, molecular genetic manipulation and analytical science,including the development of new techniques and methodologies for the study and the application of biomolecular processes. Our work is cross-disciplinary and collaborative, and we have research projects with collaborators in computer science, engineering, life sciences, physics, mathematics, medicine, statistics and systems biology.

Our programmes are focused in the following areas:

Natural products chemistry and biology, including the discovery of novel bioactive natural products; molecular genetics and biochemistry of natural product biosynthesis and its regulation; biosynthetic engineering to produce novel natural product derivatives; molecular mechanisms of action of bioactive natural products; the chemical synthesis of natural products, biosynthetic intermediates and probes of biosynthetic mechanisms (Challis, Corre, Tosin)
Inorganic biochemistry of metal-binding proteins from a variety of organisms including mammals, invertebrates, plants, and bacteria (Blindauer)
Membrane protein folding, structure and interactions (Dixon)
Mechanistic enzymology, including bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan biosynthesis, with the aim of developing novel antibacterial agents (Bugg)
Study of biomolecular interactions, including the design of self assembling molecules and characterization of protein-small molecule interactions (Marsh)
Development and application of spectroscopy for biomacromolecular structure, dynamics, interactions, and function (Rodger)
Transition metal-based anticancer agents (Sadler)
Delivery and targeting of biological therapeutics (proteins, peptides and siRNA) via polymer conjugation (Haddleton)
Drug discovery and mechanistic biology (Fox)
Interfacing macromolecules (proteins, polymers and nanoparticles) with cell membranes for biotechnology. This includes novel targeted antibiotics, improved cryopreservation and sensors for detection and inhibition of pathogens. (Gibson)

What about lab space and facilities?

Chemical Biology research at Warwick benefits from the new Chemical Biology Research Facility, a purpose-built £1M facility that was officially opened Prof. R.J.P. Williams FRS in 2009, as well as laboratories and offices throughout the main chemistry building. We are extremely well-equipped in chemistry with the facilities needed for chemical biology research and use other specialised facilities throughout the university in our collaborative projects.

There are also central services for routine analysis and other work including: