Ewan Main

Dr. Ewan Main is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Student Experience at the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London. He is affiliated with the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology and contributes to research in structural biology, protein engineering, and molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. His work focuses on protein folding, self-assembly, and the design of functional biomaterials using modular protein systems. Dr. Main teaches undergraduate courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, and research methods, emphasizing practical skills and scientific communication.

Research Interests: Dr. Main’s studies explore protein structure-function relationships, particularly in tandem-repeat proteins and their applications in biotechnology. His lab investigates bacterial secretion systems (e.g., Type III Secretion System), protein-protein interactions, and the development of open-source tools for biophysical analysis (e.g., PyFolding software). Recent work addresses how structural modifications (e.g., loop insertions, chaperone interactions) influence protein stability and assembly pathways.

Key Themes in Publications: His articles highlight advancements in understanding protein folding dynamics, engineered protein nanostructures, and the molecular basis of bacterial virulence. Notable contributions include studies on Pseudomonas aeruginosa T3SS components and the design of scalable protein cages using split inteins.

• Advising: Supervises Megan Downes and Mabell Orobio in PhD research.
• Labs/Teams: Leads research in the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology and collaborates on projects involving protein engineering and structural biology.