Dewey G. McCafferty is Professor of Chemistry at Duke University with appointments in Biochemistry and the Duke Cancer Institute. His research focuses on chemical biology of chromatin-modifying enzymes and ubiquitin signaling pathways relevant to neurodegeneration and infection. Notable work includes discovering the lasso peptide antibiotic Arcumycin, characterizing the Nedd4 ubiquitin ligase in Parkinson's disease models, and developing chemoproteomic approaches for target identification. Key contributions include elucidation of the futalosine pathway in Chlamydia infections, mechanisms of CPAF protease in bacterial pathogenesis, and engineering of histone demethylase enzymes. McCafferty received the Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry (2005) and directs NIH-funded projects on ubiquitin ligases in neurodegeneration.
Christopher M. Overall is a Full Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences . He is also a Principal Scientist at the Centre for Blood Research and holds associate memberships in UBC's Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Obstetrics and Gynecology , and Bioinformatics Graduate Program departments. As a Canada Research Chair Laureate , he pioneered the field of degradomics to study proteases in vivo. B.D.S., University of Adelaide Ph.D., University of Toronto Postdoctoral Fellowship, UBC (with Nobel Laureate Michael Smith) Dr. Overall’s research focuses on protease proteomics and systems biology , particularly degradomics to analyze protease substrates in diseases like COVID-19 and immunodeficiency . His work on matrix metalloproteinases has revealed new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases and cancer . His 15 most recent articles (2015–2008) demonstrate expertise in TAILS proteomics , protein terminomics , and protease network analysis with applications in arthritis , antiviral immunity , and precision medicine . Scientific Awards 2022 Helmut Holzer Award 2018 Royal Society of Canada Fellow 2014 Tony Pawson Canadian Proteomics Award 2013 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award Dr. Overall has mentored 61 trainees , including 9 full professors with department chairs, and received the UBC John McNeill Mentorship Award (2023). He leads the HUPO Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project and consults for Genentech and Novartis .
Sachdev Sidhu is a Research Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on synthetic antibodies, protein engineering, and biotechnological applications. He leads efforts in developing novel therapeutic antibodies, engineered protein systems, and molecular tools for biomedical research. His work spans cancer therapy, viral infection countermeasures, and regenerative medicine. Sidhu is also involved in translational research, bridging academic discoveries with commercial applications through entrepreneurial ventures. Key research interests include synthetic antibody libraries, CAR T-cell engineering, ubiquitin-based therapeutics, and phage display technologies. He has contributed to advancements in targeted therapies for glioblastoma, leukemia, and ocular diseases. His team develops innovative methods for protein design, such as engineered ubiquitin variants and modular antibody architectures. Publications highlight breakthroughs in antibody-based treatments, including synNotch CAR T cells for glioblastoma and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. His work integrates structural biology, molecular biology, and computational approaches to address complex biomedical challenges. Sidhu collaborates with industry partners to advance technologies into clinical and commercial settings.
Amy E. Fraley is an Assistant Professor at ETH Zürich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, and leads the Medicinal Chemistry Research Group. Her cross-disciplinary work bridges natural products biosynthesis, pharmaceutical sciences, and environmental sustainability through enzymatic chemistry and biotechnology. BSc in Chemistry, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2014) PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy (2019) Postdoctoral work at ETH Zürich Institute of Microbiology under Prof. Jörn Piel Her research focuses on harnessing biosynthetic enzymes (e.g., halogenases, monooxygenases, Diels-Alderases) to create sustainable bioactive metabolites. She explores natural product biosynthesis in fungi and marine bacteria, targeting disease mechanisms and green chemistry applications. Recent work includes metagenomic studies of Lake Chilika microbial mats and polyketide synthase engineering. Notable scientific awards include the 2024 JSP Fellow at Bürgenstock Conference, 2018 Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship, and multiple University of Michigan honors. Her group secured funding from the ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grant and Messerli Foundation . Collaborations span structural biology, synthetic chemistry, and microbiology, with key contributions to flavoenzyme characterization and bioactive compound libraries . The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary training and innovation in biocatalytic tools for organic synthesis.
Senior Lecturer Outi Salo-Ahen is affiliated with Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering , Department of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on computational pharmacology, drug design, and pharmaceutical chemistry, particularly targeting chemokine receptors (CCR5/CXCR4) and transient receptor potential channels (TRPA1) for therapeutic applications. Doctor of Pharmacy (2006, University of Kuopio/UEF) MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (2001, UEF) BSc in Pharmacy (1999, UEF) University Pedagogy Modules 1-5 (2012-2015) Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through education and pharmaceutical innovation . Recent research trends include: Antimicrobial resistance solutions TRPA1 channel modulation Nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery Multi-target HIV-1 inhibitors 3D printing of biocompatible materials Computational analysis of nucleic acid frameworks She actively supervises doctoral projects, serves on assessment panels, and leads collaborations like Nordic Pharmaceutical Translation and Innovation. Her 60+ publications demonstrate expertise in molecular modeling and drug discovery.
Prof Jean Van Den Elsen is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Bath , affiliated with the Department of Life Sciences and several research centers including the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) , Centre for Therapeutic Innovation , and Milner Centre for Evolution . They are actively accepting doctoral students and leading multidisciplinary projects at the intersection of structural biology and immunology. Education: Not explicitly mentioned Appointments: University of Bath (current), with collaborations across Chemistry, Biology & Biochemistry departments Research Focus: The laboratory investigates protein structural biology in two major areas: Complement System Interactions: Studying how pathogenic microbes like Staphylococcus aureus evade host immunity through complement system manipulation , with structural analysis of proteins such as C3d and C5 complexes. This work directly informs vaccine design and autoimmune disease treatment . Glycation Mechanisms: Developing diagnostic tools for detecting non-enzymatic sugar modifications linked to diabetes , Alzheimer's , and aging, with commercial partnerships like Abcam . Article Trends: Recent publications demonstrate: Structural analysis of complement evasion proteins (2022-2025) Engineering knob domains as miniature antibodies (2023) Evolutionary studies on cooperative behavior (2021-2025) Advancements in peptide synthesis platforms (2022-2023) Applications of AI protein folding (2020) Scientific Contributions: ORCID: 0000-0002-0367-1956 BBSRC Funding recipient (2023) 100+ citations across 76 research outputs Student Mentorship: Directly supervising 4 current PhD students and 1 postdoc, with a track record of mentoring 11 previous students including Daphne Jackson Fellows and MSCA researchers. Collaborations: Maintains active partnerships with Dr. Tony James (Chemistry), Dr. Rob Williams (Biochemistry), and industry partners UCB Celltech and Porton Biopharma Ltd. Their work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health), 12 (Responsible Consumption), and 13 (Climate Action).
Professor David Ackerley (Victoria University of Wellington) is a leading microbiologist and enzyme engineer specializing in directed evolution of bacterial enzymes for biotechnological applications. As Biotechnology Programme Director since 2006, he lectures in foundational courses like BTEC101 and BTEC201. Academic rank: Professor of Biotechnology Institutional affiliation: Victoria University of Wellington Research focus areas: Microbial Biotechnology, Drug Discovery, Synthetic Biology His research employs Darwinian evolutionary principles to engineer enzymes with enhanced activities, particularly targeting non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and nitroreductases for antibiotic development and cancer therapy. Recent work explores metagenomic domain substitution in pyoverdine biosynthesis and Purpuramine R from marine sponges. Key publications demonstrate innovations in metagenomic library construction , CRISPR screening for regeneration genes, and structural characterization of engineered enzymes. His team has developed NTR 2.0 , a high-efficacy nitroreductase for targeted cell ablation. Current research projects include: Clean solutions from dirty genes: Plastic-degrading enzyme discovery Engineering enzymes for CAR T-cell-chemotherapy synergy Repurposing niclosamide against Gram-negative superbugs Grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Royal Society of New Zealand, and Cancer Society of NZ support his work. Collaborations span biomedical research, synthetic biology, and environmental applications.
Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement
Apurba Dutta is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on asymmetric synthesis of bioactive molecules, development of synthetic methodologies, and natural product-based drug discovery. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from North-Eastern Hill University (1989) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Kansas (1994) and a Humboldt Fellowship at the University of Konstanz (1992). Research Overview : Dr. Dutta’s work includes total synthesis of antifungal peptidyl nucleosides (e.g., polyoxins, nikkomycins), proteasome inhibitors like salinosporamide A, and cytotoxic marine natural products. He also explores combinatorial libraries of biomimetic compounds (nucleosides, azacarbohydrates) for high-throughput screening. Key Projects : His lab investigates antifungal agents targeting chitin synthase, endotoxin sequestration for septic shock, and proteasome inhibition for cancer therapy. Notable contributions include synthetic routes to Jaspine B and structural studies of polyoxamic acid. Publications : Recent work includes stereoselective iminosugar synthesis (2025), SAR analyses of lipopeptides (2010), and neurochemical studies of enantiomers (2016). Over 100 publications span medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and drug discovery. Awards & Recognition : While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to antibiotic design and synthetic methodology reflect sustained excellence in the field. Current Activity : Not currently accepting students/postdoctoral fellows, but actively engaged in grant-funded research projects focused on antifungal agents and combinatorial chemistry.
Dr. Scott Lovell is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Biology at the University of Bath's Department of Life Sciences. He leads the Lovell Group researching covalent drug discovery at the chemistry-biology-medicine interface, focusing on cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections. His team specializes in peptide synthesis, chemical proteomics, and phage display technologies. Dr. Lovell's research interests include: Covalent phage display for undruggable proteins Targeted covalent macrocycles (TCMs) Protease-activated imaging agents Covalent fragment libraries for cancer treatment His recent publications demonstrate a focus on developing covalent inhibitors through innovative screening platforms, with applications spanning transcription factor inhibition, antimicrobial strategies, and peptide-based drug discovery. Research strongly emphasizes translational approaches combining synthetic chemistry with molecular biology. Dr. Lovell is currently PI on multiple funded projects including: Tackling the Undruggable Cancer Proteome with Covalent Macrocycles (EPSRC) Synthesis of Targeted Covalent Macrocycle Libraries (Royal Society) A Phage Display Approach for Undruggable Proteins (Academy of Medical Sciences) He welcomes doctoral students to his interdisciplinary research team investigating novel chemical modalities for disease treatment.
Torsten Schwede is a Professor for Structural Bioinformatics at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, and serves as Vice President for Research at the same institution. He leads the SPHN Data Coordination Center at SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. His research focuses on computational structural biology, protein structure prediction, and structural bioinformatics, with contributions to tools like SWISS-MODEL. He has been honored as a Highly Cited Researcher in Biology and Biochemistry (2019–2021). Education: PhD in Protein X-ray Crystallography from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (Germany). Positions include leadership roles in academia and industry (e.g., GlaxoSmithKline). His work emphasizes protein modeling, data management, and integrative structural methods. Collaborations span computational drug design, benchmarking initiatives (CASP), and open-source software development. Scientific contributions include advancements in protein-ligand interactions, homology modeling, and the development of ModelCIF and QMEANDisCo frameworks. He actively participates in global initiatives like the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) and precision medicine.
Simon Tang is a BBSRC Research Fellow and Proleptic Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath. He also holds a Visiting Researcher position in the same department. His research is supported by prestigious grants from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), where he serves as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator (CoI) on multiple active projects. His research focuses on advancing sustainable biotechnological solutions for drug discovery, particularly through the engineering of enzymes such as asparaginyl endopeptidases and peptide ligases. Key areas include the intracellular production of cyclic peptides, enzyme compartmentalization, and the development of novel screening platforms for bioactive compounds. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on chemical biology, protein engineering, and enzyme mechanism studies. His work integrates synthetic biology with therapeutic discovery, targeting neurodegenerative diseases and sustainable pharmaceutical development. Scientific Awards: BBSRC Research Fellowship (2025), competitively awarded for innovative work in sustainable cyclic peptide production. Dr. Tang leads independent research projects, including the development of intracellular screening platforms and methods for controlling enzyme activity. He collaborates closely with Prof. Jody Mason and Dr. Luet Luk. While no formal advisees are listed, his leadership roles indicate active mentorship and research supervision. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and sustainable industry. He is associated with research networks in enzyme engineering and peptide therapeutics, with collaborations spanning multiple institutions and countries.
Lee Ferguson is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Policy. His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, particularly using high-resolution mass spectrometry to study per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , microplastics , and endocrine disruptors . Ferguson Lab develops methods for contaminant detection in water systems and investigates chemical leaching from polymers. Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University (2002) Former Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina (2003-2009) Recent work includes PFAS analysis in lithium-ion batteries, glyphosate detection in hard waters, and microplastic dye toxicity studies. Key publications explore urban watershed contamination, Sri Lankan drinking water CKDu links, and novel analytical methods for environmental pollutants. Applied Research Fellowship (2022), Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow (2011) Testified before U.S. Senate on nanotechnology risks Co-founder of NC PFAS Testing Network As an advisor, he mentors Doctoral Candidates Patrick Faught and Anna Lewis , who investigate microplastic dyes and polymer additives. Lab research spans environmental fate of nanomaterials, contaminant bioavailability, and exposomics for health outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Job Boekhoven is an Associate Professor at the Department of Bioscience , TUM School of Natural Sciences , Technical University of Munich . His research focuses on synthetic life , chemically fueled self-assembly , and supramolecular materials , aiming to synthesize life from scratch. Research Interests include creating synthetic cells that compete for resources, replicate, and undergo Darwinian evolution . His lab designs molecules like lipids , peptides , and nucleic acids that self-assemble into active compartments regulated by chemical energy. These systems exhibit life-like hallmarks such as emergence , self-division , and controllable lifetimes . Scientific Awards include: ERC Consolidator Grant (2024) Lecturer Award by Association of the Chemical Industry (2024) ERC Starting Grant (2019) Volkswagen Foundation 'Life?' Grant (2019) Max Planck Fellow (2019) VCI Dozentenpreis (2021) Thieme Chemistry Journal Award (2017) Rubicon Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013) Publications highlight trends in nonequilibrium materials , dynamic combinatorial libraries , and protocell engineering . His work bridges synthetic chemistry with biophysics to explore life's origins and applications in materials science .
Possu Huang serves as Assistant Professor of Bioengineering in the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University's School of Engineering. His research group operates from the Shriram Center for Bioengineering, sharing laboratory space with the Bintu Lab while maintaining an active interdisciplinary program bridging computational and experimental protein engineering. His educational journey includes: B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology (Biochemistry) from UC Berkeley Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from Caltech Postdoctoral training as Senior Fellow at University of Washington Dr. Huang's research focuses on atomic-precision protein design through integrated computational-experimental approaches. His lab has pioneered breakthroughs including the first computationally designed protein-protein interface, TIM barrel fold design principles, and the eOD HIV immunogen. Current work leverages machine learning , structural biology , and library optimization to develop therapeutic proteins and nanotechnology platforms, with particular emphasis on achieving natural-level complexity in engineered systems. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) generative AI for all-atom protein design (e.g., Protpardelle, SHAPES), (2) immunology applications targeting MHC complexes for HIV vaccine development, and (3) optogenetic tools through engineered fluorescent proteins. These works consistently integrate deep learning with wet-lab validation to solve biomedical challenges. Dr. Huang has mentored nine graduate students to completion, including PhD candidates Carla (defended June 2025), Christian (defended May 2025), and master's students Shankara and Kirsten. His lab maintains active social media presence (@possuhuanglab) and regularly publishes high-impact research while training the next generation of protein engineers. The Huang Lab operates as a dynamic interdisciplinary hub where computational biologists collaborate with experimentalists to push the boundaries of protein design. Current projects include developing tetravalent nanobody platforms, photoswitchable binders for temporal protein control, and AI-driven solutions for HIV immunogen design, all conducted within Stanford's state-of-the-art bioengineering facilities.
