Biophysics

Biology is enacted by molecular interactions. The intricate network of these interactions, which can involve proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates or lipids, is the mainstay of any cellular process. Dissecting these networks through biophysical research paves the way to a mechanistic understanding of biological function across the huge range of fundamental and applied areas of biology, from gene packaging and DNA repair through to the immune response. Importantly, biophysics experiments are essential to the discovery of new therapeutics, providing the first key step in the process of drug design and development.

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' instrument, so the Biophysics Facility offers a wide-ranging platform of different state-of-the-art technologies and expertise to study the huge variety of biological systems, and to cross-validate the results obtained. Users commonly deploy calorimetry or surface technologies to measure molecular binding processes, whilst some utilise analytical ultracentrifugation to inform on the size, shape and composition of molecules and their assemblies. The Facility's user base is, however, constantly evolving, and is enriched by many researchers from the wider University and local biotech industries.