Bioinformatics
Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that develops and applies computational techniques to solve biological problems. It entails close interaction between biological scientists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, physicists and researchers in other related disciplines. The role of computational biology has become increasingly central to developments in the biological sciences.
Biophysics
The ISMB Biophysics Centre provides access to instrumentation and expertise in the characterisation of biological macromolecules and their interactions, under the academic lead of Dr Mark Williams and with Centre Manager Nikos Pinotsis (n.pinotsis@bbk.ac.uk).
Electron Microscopy
The renowned ISMB Electron Microscopy Lab was established by Professor Helen Saibil and is now headed by Professor Carolyn Moores, with Laboratory Co-ordinator Dr Natasha Lukoyanova and Laboratory Manager Dr Shu Chen. Researchers interested in using this technology should contact Dr Natasha Lukoyanova (n.lukoyanova@bbk.ac.uk).
Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique that become a key technology in structural molecular biology. The coupling of ion mobility to mass spectrometry has given rise to an even more powerful technique that can be used to report on the structure and dynamics of proteins and complexes of theoretically unlimited size. Researchers interested in using this technology should contact Dr Kostas Thalassinos (k.thalassinos@ucl.ac.uk).
Molecular Interactions Facility
The UCL Molecular Interactions Facility provides access to protein purification equipment, advanced biophysical instrumentation, and computational modelling methods for the characterisation and structural determinations of biological macromolecules and their interactions, under the academic lead of Prof Steve Perkins (s.perkins@ucl.ac.uk) and Facility Manager Mr Jayesh Gor (j.gor@ucl.ac.uk).
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
The ISMB NMR facility aims to expand the frontiers of biomolecular NMR spectroscopy through a combination of advanced method development and their application to important questions in modern biology. Particular expertise exists in understanding protein dynamics: NMR can report with exquisite sensitivity and at residue specific level on biological motions across a range of timescales from picoseconds to days. Researchers interested in using this technology should contact Dr Angelo Figueiredo (m.figu@ucl.ac.uk).
Single Molecule
Single-molecule fluorescence (SMF) imaging has emerged as a complementary structural biology technique to enable high-resolution measurements of protein dynamics, mechanism and function. In particular, SMF microscopy is a highly specific, and non-invasive imaging method, capable of visualising individual fluorophores conjugated to biological molecules of interest. People interested in this technology should email Dr Anthony Roberts.
X-Ray Crystallography
The ISMB X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory was completely refurbished in 2011 and houses state-of-the-art equipment for successful screening and optimization of crystallographic experiments. Researchers interested in using this technology should contact the ISMB X-Ray Crystallography Lab Manager Nikos Pinotsis (n.pinotsis@bbk.ac.uk).