Synthetic and Chemical Biology

Encapsulates a spectrum of research, the primary focus of which is the design, creation and application of biomolecular systems utilising natural, modified and/or non-biological components in novel combinations.

It combines design of new genetic circuitry in synthetic biology, new methods of interfacing man-made devices with biology, and nanoscale assembly of structures, materials and devices based on biomolecules.

Biomolecular self-assembly & Bio-nanoscience

Includes studies into the molecular recognition processes that govern the assembly of higher order biomolecular architecture (multiportein complexes, biological membranes etc).

Application of knowledge of natural systems to develop synthetic bio-mimetic systems and bio-inspired self-assembling nanostructures and materials.

Chemical Intervention in Biology and Medicine

Chemical genetics: Developing chemical tools to probe fundamental aspects of biological systems including chemical genetics and chemical genomics.

Exploring new methods to modulate therapeutic targets, from small molecules through to pepteides, aptamers and antibodies (Biopharma).

Engineering Biological Systems

Top-down synthetic biology: Developing new approaches for engineering biological systems for the production of natural product based therapeutics, biopharmaceuticals, biofuels, renewable feedstocks etc.

Biosynthetic/metabolic engineering and design of novel regulatory systems.

Nanoscale bioengineering

Relates to the interface of bioscience and nanotechnology in bottom-up fabrication of precisely defined functional structures, materials and devices based on biomolecules such as peptides, saccharides and lipids.

These challenges are addressed by researchers in the MIB by using a combination of computation, rational design and in-depth analysis using a wide range of state of the art spectroscopic and nano/microscopic techniques.