Paul Marie Gerard Curmi

Professor Paul Marie Gerard Curmi is a distinguished structural biologist and molecular biophysicist at the University of New South Wales. His research laboratory focuses on the structure and function of proteins, which are described as the fundamental molecular machines in living systems. With an extensive publication record including 169 journal articles, 6 book chapters, 21 conference papers, and 7 preprints, Professor Curmi has established himself as a leading researcher in his field.

Professor Curmi's research spans several innovative themes:

• Metamorphic proteins, particularly the CLIC family that can exist in both soluble cytoplasmic forms and integral membrane forms that produce ion channels
• Synthetic biology approaches to creating protein-based molecular motors from non-motor components
• Quantum biology investigations into quantum coherence in light-harvesting systems of aquatic photosynthetic organisms
• Pattern formation in cells, specifically examining reaction-diffusion systems that determine cell division in prokaryotes

His laboratory employs x-ray crystallography as its primary experimental technique, complemented by a range of biochemical, biophysical, and computational methods. Professor Curmi's work integrates structural biology with quantum physics, synthetic biology, and systems biology, representing truly interdisciplinary research at the cutting edge of molecular science. His research on quantum coherence in biological systems challenges traditional boundaries between physics and biology, while his work on metamorphic proteins provides insights into fundamental protein behavior.

Professor Curmi's research has significant implications across multiple fields, from advancing our understanding of basic biological processes to potential applications in nanotechnology and synthetic biology. His international collaborations, particularly in the development of protein-based molecular motors, demonstrate the global recognition of his expertise.