Staff Profiles: Group Leader: Prof Michael W. Parker Lab Heads: Dr Brett A. Cromer (Molecular Biology Laboratory) Dr Susanne C. Feil (Crystallization Laboratory) Dr Craig J. Morton (Senior Associate, Molecular Modelling Laboratory) Dr Galina Polekhina (RD Wright NHMRC Fellow)

Laboratory / Group Name: Biota Structural Biology Laboratory

Group Leader: Prof Michael W. Parker

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Overview

Proteins are one of the body's most essential building blocks. In addition to contributing to the structure of the body, proteins are also the "molecules of life", in that they are the molecular engines that control all functions of the body. Essential to understanding the function of proteins, we need to determine their structure. Crystallography offers the means to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins at the atomic level. This technology involves converting proteins into crystals and shining a beam of X-rays at them. The crystals cause the X-rays to scatter in a pattern that is characteristic of the protein's three-dimensional shape. The field has provided a tremendous insight into numerous biological processes since the first structures were revealed in the 1960's and has undergone a massive worldwide expansion in the last decade, not only in academic labs but also in the pharmaceutical industry. The main driving force for this expansion has been the use of the three-dimensional atomic structures of proteins to design drugs for a variety of diseases. A major area of protein crystallography research at the Institute involves proteins that interact with the membranes of cell walls. These proteins play a critical role in transmitting messages between cells. Malfunctioning of these proteins cause numerous diseases and hence are major targets for the design of new drugs to combat diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.