Research summary
Kinesins form a superfamily of proteins that fulfil key roles in intracellular transport and cell division. They use the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to transport a variety of cargos directionally along microtubules but are also involved at crucial phases of the eukaryotic cell cycle, including bipolar spindle formation, chromosome congression, anaphase and cytokinesis. We are examining human kinesins and their associated proteins:
- Discovery, characterisation and development of small molecule inhibitors targeting human kinesins implicated in different diseases.
- Determination of kinesin-inhibitor complexes for subsequent structure-based design.
- Elucidation of the mechanism of action of kinesin-targeting drugs.
- Understanding the development of resistance against kinesin-targeting drugs, in vitro, in cell-based assays and ultimately in vivo.
- As a new area of research we aim to investigate kinesins involved in neurodegenerative diseases and viral transport.