Synthetic and chemical biology
Through our ground-breaking research in synthetic and chemical biology we are tapping into the power of natural molecules.
Through our ground-breaking research in synthetic and chemical biology we are tapping into the power of natural molecule and assembling them to make new, more complex compounds.
Our research is focused on the chemistry and biochemistry of enzyme-catalysed reactions, with the broad aim of aiding the development of new treatments for diseases and using the natural biosynthetic machinery for the efficient generation of valuable products. Using a variety of computational and experimental approaches we are also seeking to increase our understanding the molecular details of communication networks in proteins.
The Chemical and Synthetic Biology Research Group at Ferrier is led by Professor Emily Parker
Enzyme allosteric regulation
It is important to understand the mechanisms of the natural regulation of enzyme activities, and the communication between distant sites within a protein molecule. For this research we employ a combined approach of computational methods (e.g. molecular dynamic simulations) with molecular biology experiments, and we have investigated a range of allosteric regulation strategies adopted by enzymes from amino acid biosynthetic pathways in bacteria.
Current research projects
Investigations of allosteric regulation mechanisms in:
- α-isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS)
- 3-deoxy-ᴅ-arabino heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS)
- Adenosine triphosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (ATP-PRT)
Staff and students
- Staff: Wanting Jiao, Gerd Mittelstädt
- Visiting scholar: Yu Bai,
- PhD student: Parastoo Khajeaian
Collaborators
- Professor Joel Mackay, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
- Professor Vic Arcus, University of Waikato
- Dr Anthony Duff, National Deuteration Facility, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
- Dr Andrew Whitten, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
- Dr Alistair Fielding, Liverpool John Moore University
Enzyme catalysis, transition states and inhibitor design
We are interested in enzyme catalysed reaction mechanisms, specifically the transition states of these reactions. We use a range of techniques to decipher the structure of the transition states, including kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments as well as computational methods such as QM and QM/MM calculations. We aim to utilise our findings from studying enzyme catalysis and regulation, to rationally design inhibitor compounds targeting either the active site o allosteric site of specific enzymes, that could lead to potential new treatments of infectious diseases. We design highly potent compounds that mimic the transition states of the enzymic reactions, and also conduct virtual screening of large compound libraries to identify lead compounds for further improvement of potency.
Current research projects
Reaction mechanism and transition state and transition state mimicking inhibitors for
- Adenosine triphosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (ATP-PRT)
- Anthranilate phosphoribosyl transferase (TrpD)
- Beta lactamase
Staff and students
- Staff: Wanting Jiao, Gerd Mittelstädt, Tom Scully
- PhD student: Javier Ruiz Vargas
Collaborators
- Professor Vern L. Schramm, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Microbial Factories
We have developed a powerful new synthetic biology platform (MIDAS) for the rapid and optimisable delivery of valuable natural products and their derivatives. Our main aim is to assemble biosynthetic machineries to create efficient, scalable microbial factories that manufacture natural products that are inaccessible to commercial markets through conventional approaches.
Current research projects
Bioactive indole-diterpenes for agri-technology applications: Delivery of nodulisporic acids and potent analogues
Staff and students
- Staff members: Rosannah Cameron, Alistair Richardson, Luke Stevenson, Yonathan Lukito, Daniel Berry, Gerd Mittelstädt, Jonathan Singh
- PhD students: Rudy Bundela, Rose McLellan, Taylor Hibbard
Collaborators
- Dr. Matthew Nicholson
- Dr. Craig van Dolleweerd, Callaghan Innovation
- Prof. Barry Scott, Massey University