Emma Allen-Vercoe has established a world leading capability to grow microbes in a controlled environment. The intent of our newly established Biotech company – NuBiyota – will be to translate this exciting capability into a therapeutic product. The project we are proposing will leverage Kathleen’s expertise and experience in professor Allen-Vercoe’s lab, combined with the […]

Rapid diagnostic tests play a crucial role in preventative medicine and epidemiology. Despite their widespread adoption in the industry, obtaining precise, quantitative results for low concentrations of analyte remains a significant challenge. For example, point-of-care (POC) tests for COVID-19 can exhibit a 70% rate of false negatives in some cases. The aim of this project […]

This project investigates the SPbeta bacteriophage, a model organism in phage biology with significant implications for microbiology and biotechnology. The primary objective is to develop and refine methods for its purification and biochemical characterization, enabling a detailed analysis of its structure and function. Using targeted deletion mutants, we aim to identify key genes and proteins […]

This internship project focuses on developing optimized DNA sequences, known as signal peptides, to enhance the secretion of proteins produced by bacteria. Signal peptides are critical for secreting proteins out of the bacterial cell, facilitating their purification and downstream processing. Under the guidance of Dr. Susana Matamouros and Professor Michael Bott, a leading expert in […]

The transformation of light in current, i.e. photodetection, has been exploited in several technologies. From the detectors used in materials characterization to solar cells, the use of performant materials that can efficiently produce photocurrents is inspired by the normal functioning of the eyes. Within them, a photon of light is converted into a current, traveling […]

With an aging population, age-related neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as stroke, are increasing. These conditions involve critical neuron loss, yet the brain’s ability to replace neurons is highly limited. Current regenerative therapies, such as neural stem cell stimulation or neuron transplants, show promise but face challenges in manufacturing and patient […]

Parkinson’s disease is commonly described as a brain disorder, but recent research suggests that early events outside the brain (periphery) may influence Parkinson’s disease neuropathology. The blood-brain barrier is a structure that protects the vulnerable brain tissue from blood-borne toxins and circulating immune cells, but barrier function appears compromised in PD. A consequence, there may […]

This project will utilise an integrated multi-omics approach for glycosylation-based breast cancer subtype discovery. Glycosylation is the process whereby carbohydrate structures are conjugated to cellular proteins and lipids, and in doing so, determines their functionality. Glycosylation is dysregulated in cancer and incorporating the glycome in cancer research has led to deeper mechanistic insight. Combining glycomic […]

Overview and Main Activities of the Partner Organization The partner organization is dedicated to enhancing urban environments through innovative solutions. One of their primary activities is developing decorative photobioreactors to improve air quality and provide aesthetic appeal in urban areas. Innovation Challenge or Improvement Priority The partner organization faces several challenges: • Urban Air Pollution: […]

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It requires early detection for effective antibiotic treatment. Unfortunately, Lyme disease is hard to diagnose, and current tests require trained scientists, specialized lab settings, and expensive equipment. Here, the project aims to develop a quick, low-cost, and user-friendly test for Lyme disease that […]

Receptor proteins are important for therapeutics, medicines, diagnostics and biomanufacturing. Generating new proteins is incredibly difficult however machine learning techniques have been developed to assist in evolving proteins. Using these techniques, I plan to create receptor mimics that are smaller and have improved properties. These will benefit many industries such as therapeutics, medicines, diagnostics and […]

G-quadruplex (G4) are a type of DNA or RNA that can fold into different types of structures, where four guanine bases are held together by Hoosteen hydrogen bonds. The type of structure that forms plays a key role in genomic events that can affect telomerase activity. Unregulated, telomerase can cause tumour formation, and in some […]