Tim Knowles

Dr Tim Knowles is a Reader in Structural Biology at the University of Birmingham's School of Biosciences, serving as Birmingham Director of the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP). His research focuses on structural and biophysical techniques to elucidate protein function, particularly in outer membrane biogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria and novel membrane protein solubilisation strategies. He holds a BSc from the University of Warwick and a PhD from the University of Leeds.

Research interests include antibiotic resistance mechanisms, SMALP (styrene-maleic acid lipid particle) technology for membrane protein studies, and collaborations on Batten Disease. His work combines cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and neutron reflectometry to target drug-resistant pathogens and develop biophysical tools.

Publications span structural biology, membrane protein interactions, and immunology, reflecting his cross-disciplinary approach. He advises PhD students through the MIBTP program and teaches courses on biosciences and molecular techniques. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but his contributions to antibiotic research and SMALP method development are notable.

Tim collaborates with institutions like ISIS Neutron and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, advancing drug discovery and membrane protein analysis. His lab's future work includes exploring phospholipid transport pathways and Bam complex function in bacterial membranes.