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We use a multidisciplinary approach to understand the structure and function of chemokines and their receptors. These proteins are involved in controlling cell migration in the context of routine immune surveillance, lymphocyte development and inflammation. However, inappropriate expression of chemokines or their receptors has been linked to a wide rang of diseases including inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis and cancer metastasis.

Structural approaches include both NMR and X-ray crystallography, which then form the basis of functional studies using biochemical methods, biophysics, protein engineering, cell biology, and in vivo studies. More recently we have begun to use genomic and proteomic approaches to understand chemokine mediated signaling. These types of studies have enabled us to engineer protein-based receptor antagonists that have potential therapeutic value, for example in preventing cancer metastasis or inflammation. We are also undertaking structural studies of chemokine receptors (membrane proteins), and viral immunomodulatory proteins that target chemokines to suppress the immune response.

Keywords: chemokines, structure, NMR, crystallography, cancer, proteomic, membrane proteins, biophysics

Track(s):
Molecular Pharmacology
MCB