Studies of complex biomolecular systems using advanced biochemical and biophysical techniques

The project, led by Associate Professors Mehdi Mobli and Jeffrey Harmer, aims to develop new tools to reveal the structure and dynamics of complex protein systems within their native environment by combining innovative biochemistry, new magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high performance computing. These tools will be applied to a selection of proteins involved in drug development (antibiotics, analgesics) and disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae, chronic pain).

Key Objectives Encompass

1.      Development of new biochemistry technologies for site-specific tagging of proteins with paramagnetic labels, based on incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAA).

2.      Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and paramagnetic NMR methods will be applied to measure long-range distances (15-100Å) for structure determination

3.      New computational tools will be developed to interpret distance distribution data from EPR and NMR spectroscopy by meaningful structural models

4.      Methods developed in objectives 1-3 will be used to study protein systems that are targets of current pharmaceutical research (for e.g. drug development and disease).

The candidate will be responsible for protein production (in collaboration with our ANU partner), spin labelling of proteins, development of EPR and/or NMR methodologies (e.g., DEER) and data acquisition. These data will be incorporated into molecular modelling software to understand the protein’s structure, dynamics, and function.

The candidate should demonstrate skills in biochemistry, chemistry or molecular biology sufficient to produce and spin-label a protein. Demonstrated skills in biophysics and related fields would be an advantage (e.g., physical chemistry, physics, mathematics). The successful candidate will require a working knowledge of protein production (mutagenesis, expression, etc) and the ability to work in a collaborative multi-disciplinary research team.

The Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) was created in 2009 as a strategic initiative of The University of Queensland (UQ) and reflects the growing role of spectroscopy and imaging in cutting-edge biotechnology and biomedical research at UQ. The CAI has state-of-the-art facilities including the largest EPR facility in the country. The facilities in the CAI provide an excellent environment for our research community (structural biology, system biology, polymer chemistry, radiochemistry and advanced imaging).

 For further information, please contact Associate Professor Jeffrey Harmer:

Email: [Email Address Removed]

Phone: +61 7 3346 0351