RESEARCH PROFILE

I am continuing my long-standing research on protein folding in the cell and on folding catalysts, especially the formation of disulphide bonds in the folding of secreted proteins. This work has focussed on the properties of the folding catalyst protein disulphide-isomerase (PDI) and other aspects of protein folding and modification in the endoplasmic reticulum.

I collaborate on joint research projects with several colleagues in Warwick, not only in Life Sciences but also in Chemistry, Physics and in the Centre for History of Medicine.

BACKGROUND

For six years (2002-2008) I was a member of the Council of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), chairing BBSRC's Appointments Board and serving on BBSRC's Audit Board. I am currently a member of the BBSRC 'Corporate Trustee Team' for the Institute of Animal Health.

Before my move to Warwick, I was at the University of Kent where I held the posts of Head of the Department of Biosciences (1989-94) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (1997-2002).

I was Chairman of the Biochemical Society (1996-98) and am currently on the working party that is planning the programme for the Society's Centenary in 2011. Other previous roles have included Biochemistry Consultant to 'New Scientist' (1971-80) and Programme Manager of the SERC Protein Engineering Club (1985-88).

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Conformational, dynamic and ligand-binding properties of protein disulphide-isomerase: studies with site-specific NMR and fluorescent probes, with Dr Katrine K Wallis - Biological Sciences, Funded by: Wellcome Trust, Project Start Date: 01/11/2010 Project End Date: 31/10/2013
• Exploitation of the Tat export machinery for protein production by bacteria, with Professor Colin Robinson, Biological Sciences, Professor Robert B Freedman - Biological Sciences, Funded by: BBSRC, Project Start Date: 01/01/2009 Project End Date: 30/06/2012
  
  

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Branston, S., Matos, C. Freedman, R.B., Robinson, C. & Keshavarz-Moore, E.(2012) 'Investigation of the impact of Tat export pathway enhancement on E.coli culture, protein production and early-stage recovery' Biotechnology And Bioengineering 109 983 - 991 (0006-3592)
• Heal, J.W., Jimenez-Roldan, J.E., Wells, S.A., Freedman, R.B. & Rõmer, R.A.(2012) 'Inhibition of HIV-1 protease: the rigidity perspective' Bioinformatics (UK - Print) 28 350 - 357 (1367-4803)
• Heal, J. W., Wells, Stephen A., Jimenez-Roldan, Emilio J., Freedman, Robert B. and Roemer, Rudolf A.(2011) 'Rigidity analysis of HIV-1 protease' Journal of Physics: Conference Series 286 12006 (1742-6588) [article]
• Jimenez-Roldan, J. Emilio, Wells, Stephen A., Freedman, Robert B. and Roemer, Rudolf A.(2011) 'Integration of FIRST, FRODA and NMM in a coarse grained method to study Protein Disulphide Isomerase conformational change' Journal of Physics: Conference Series 286 12002 (1742-6588) [article]
• Caves, M.S., Derham, B.K., Jezek, J. & Freedman, R.B.(2011) 'The mechanism of inactivation of glucose oxidase from Penicillium amagasakiense under ambient storage conditions' Enzyme And Microbial Technology 49 79 - 87 (0141-0229)

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