Molecular Diagnostics & Drug Discovery (MD3)
Who we are
The Molecular Diagnostics and Drug Discovery (MD3)
lab is focused on obtaining atomic-level insight into essential and
topical aspects of biochemistry and medicine. MD3 combines original
research with method development and application to
address and monitor pivotal biological, medical and environmental
phenomena. We elucidate the primary molecular basis of cancer,
concentrating on leukaemia and lung cancer, to better understand the
molecular mechanisms of these diseases and develop more efficient
treatments. The team is working on targeted drug design and discovery,
using innovative experimental and artificial intelligence (AI) augmented
structure-dynamics analysis to search for small molecules (ligands)
that interact specifically with identified disease-associated
proteins. Lead compounds are then engineered to increase their binding
affinity and selectivity to optimize their therapeutic potency against
cancers. Modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy,
single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and cryogenic electron
microscopy (cryo-EM) are crucial high-resolution experimental
techniques that are employed and further refined to tackle challenging
macromolecular assemblies. Combined with sensitive molecular and
enzymatic assays, other state-of-the-art biophysical methods
and AI-supported computational tools allow us to obtain valuable
insights into human health and disease.
Meet Our Staff