We use biotechnology and bioinformatics to understand a range of biological data and to produce biological resources. This includes developing insecticides and fungicides to support food security, predicting compound/drug interactions and producing novel materials.

Our researchers

Dr Alexandros Bousios

Our research group studies the function and evolution of plant genomes, with a particular emphasis on transposable elements (TEs) that represent their largest component. We investigate the evolution of TE sequences themselves, but also other aspects such as the interactions between TEs and host epigenetic defenses, and how the cycles of TE proliferation and decay affect the evolution of gene regulatory networks.

For more information, visit the Bousios Lab website.

Dr Leandro Castellano

Leandro Castellano’s lab aims to understand the role of short and long non-coding RNAs in epithelial cancer initiation and progression. The laboratory performs different type of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) applications including small RNA-seq, CLIP-seq, RIP-seq and ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) as well as CRISPR genome editing technologies and bioinformatic analyses of big data.

For more information, visit Dr Castellano's profile.

Dr Neil Crickmore

Research in the Crickmore lab is based upon the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and its insecticidal toxins. We are interested in discovering and developing novel biological insecticides and in studying the interaction between these and their insect targets. We also use this bacterium and its host as a model system for studying a variety of ecological, physiological, biochemical and genetic processes.

For more information visit the Bacillus thuringiensis BT Lab website.

Professor Georgios Giamas

Our translational research laboratory combines a variety of molecular, cellular and biochemical techniques along with established in vitro/in vivo models and patients' specimens to study relevant pathways in cancer.

For more information visit the Giamas Lab website.

Professor Tony Moore

My laboratory's research interests are focussed upon the structure and function of the alternative oxidases in plants and parasites. In particular we are interested in how the structure of this important but enigmatic protein influences its function in plants and parasites. Although this protein has been known for over 100 years still relatively little is known about its mechanism of action or physiological significance. To this end we are crystallising mutant and wild-type forms of the protein from both plants and human pathogens which will provide structural and mechanistic clues as to its function in vivo.

For more information visit the Moore Lab website.

Dr Frances Pearl

The bioinformatics lab provides collaborative bioinformatics support to researchers within Life Sciences and in particular the Translational Drug Discovery Group, as well as pursuing independant research.

For more information visit the Bioinformatics Lab website.

 

Dr Chrisostomos Prodromou

I am a senior lecturer working on molecular chaperones, especially Hsp90. I seek to understand the structural basis for the maturation and activation of Hsp90 client proteins and the interplay with its associated complexes. I use structural, biochemical and genetic techniques to achieve my aims. I have a number of collaborations with staff across the university in helping them understand the molecular basis of interactions within their systems.

I am also actively engaged in programs aimed at the discovery and development of novel small-molecule inhibitors with application as drugs for the treatment of cancer, infectious disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Professor Louise Serpell

The Serpell Group work on the structure and function of amyloidogenic proteins using a range of biophysical and imaging techniques

For more information visit the Serpell Lab website.

Dr Edward Wright

After successfully completing a PhD in Molecular Virology at the University of Cambridge Dr Edward Wright undertook infectious disease research in Uganda at the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute AIDS Research Unit. Through subsequent posts at University College London, the University of Westminster and now as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sussex he has an international reputation for research on the epidemiology and antigenicity of (re-)emerging viral zoonoses. Results from these studies are being applied to develop novel vaccines aimed at limiting the public health impact of these viruses.