Harvey McMahon

Harvey McMahon is a Professor and Research Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), University of Cambridge, where he directs a research group investigating membrane curvature as a fundamental organizing principle in eukaryotic cell biology. His work bridges biophysics and cellular physiology to dissect molecular mechanisms governing membrane shape dynamics.

His research centers on how transient membrane bending motifs and curvature-sensing proteins (e.g., BAR superfamily, amphipathic helices) regulate organelle architecture and cellular processes. Key contributions include redefining endocytosis pathways through endophilin’s role in clathrin-independent uptake and elucidating synaptotagmin’s mechanism in membrane fusion. This molecular perspective connects protein biophysics to novel trafficking pathways in exo- and endocytosis.

Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent focus on membrane remodeling proteins, with trends spanning from foundational biophysical principles (2005–2007) to mechanistic discoveries in endocytic machinery (2010–2018). His work increasingly integrates structural insights with cellular function, emphasizing BAR domain proteins’ dual roles in curvature generation and regulation across diverse trafficking contexts.

Professor McMahon mentors a research team including Mahmoud Bassal, Rohit Mittal, and David Paul, driving investigations into membrane shape dynamics. His laboratory at the LMB employs biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological approaches to characterize how proteins like endophilin and EHD ATPases remodel membranes, with implications for understanding cellular organization and disease mechanisms.