A list of our investigators by research area. Mammalian Engineering Biology NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailLucia BandieraWe use an engineering approach to automate modelling and control of biological networks in yeast and mammalian cell systems. Applications in biomedicine include the establishment of in vitro models for chronic diseases and the microfluidic, real-time optimisation of promising therapies.School of EngineeringLucia.Bandiera@ed.ac.ukJelena Baranovic We are interested in structure and function of ionotropic glutamate receptors - neural receptors essential for memory formation and learning. We are developing synthetic approaches to study behaviour of these proteins within synapsesSchool of Biological Sciences jelena.baranovic@ed.ac.uk Adrian BirdWe use genetic manipulation technology to selectively ablate cells within the brain and other tissues based on X-inactivation choice. The results will shed light on tissue/organ plasticity and may have therapeutic implications.School of Biological Sciences a.bird@ed.ac.ukKarl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukSara BuonomoUnderstanding the functional relationships between DNA replication, nuclear organisation and gene expressionSchool of Biological Sciences sara.buonomo@ed.ac.uk Elise CachatEngineering new synthetic gene circuits in mammalian cells: sensing modules, reporting modules and actuation modules (e.g. locomotion, apoptosis). Cells endowed with these new functions can be used to sense the presence of specific stimuli in their environment and report or act upon it. School of Biological Sciences elise.cachat@ed.ac.uk Jane CalvertScience and Technology Studies; Responsible Research and Innovation; Philosophy of Biology; Science PolicyScience, Technology and Innovation Studiesjane.calvert@ed.ac.ukJamie DaviesSynthetic morphogenesis, tissue engineering, pharmacologyCMVM (Deanery of Biomedical Sciences)jamie.davies@ed.ac.ukWilliam C. Earnshawcell cycle, mitosis, mitotic chromosome structure, centromeres, kinetochores, epigenetics. human artificial chromosomesWellcome Centre of Cell Biology/ School of Biological Sciences bill.earnshaw@ed.ac.ukSebastian GreissMy lab develops and uses tools based on genetic code expansion and non-canonical amino acids to probe neuronal circuits in C. elegans worms.Centre for Discovery Brain Sciencess.greiss@ed.ac.ukTilo KunathProducing next-generation human cell products for Parkinson’s research and advanced therapies using synbio approaches.CRM/ School of Biological Sciencestilo.kunath@ed.ac.ukMattias MalagutiEngineering of synthetic tools to identify and manipulate healthy neighbours of mutant cells in pluripotent stem cell-derived models of development and disease.School of Biological SciencesMattias.Malaguti@ed.ac.ukJamie MarlandMicrofabrication of bioelectronic sensor interfaces, with applications in cell-free synthetic biology and medicine.School of EngineeringJamie.Marland@ed.ac.ukSteven PollardNeural stem cells, brain cancer, transcriptional control, enhancers, gene therapy, cell therapyCRM/ School of Biological Sciencessteven.pollard@ed.ac.ukLynne ReganSynthetic proteins for synthetic biology. Biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Protein engineering and design. Protein assemblies and interactions inside cells. Visualising proteins in live cells with new super-resolution imaging methods. Cell-free selection strategies. Interfaces and surfaces. School of Biological Scienceslynne.regan@ed.ac.ukSusan RosserDeveloping tools for synthetic biology approaches for pathway and genome engineering in bacteria, yeast and mammalian cell systems. The applications of our work include rapid strain engineering for production of high value secondary metabolites, cell lines for protein production, engineering bacteria to generate electricity and developing genetic tools for bio-computation.School of Biological Sciencessusan.rosser@ed.ac.ukAbdenour SoufiUnderstanding the chromatin basis that control cellular identity. We exploit and develop synthetic biology approaches to reprogramme mammalian cells from one type to another. CRM/ School of Biological SciencesAbdenour.Soufi@ed.ac.ukDavid TollerveyInteractions between SAR-CoV-2 proteins and host cell RNA metabolismWellcome Centre of Cell BIology/ School of Biological Sciencesd.tollervey@ed.ac.ukJulie WelburnIn vitro reconstitution of biological systemsSchool of Biological Sciencesjulie.welburn@ed.ac.uk Circular Bioeconomy NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailGarry BlakelyOur lab focuses on the genetics, genomics and biochemistry of bacteria. We aim to provide new biological insights and novel biotechnological solutions for both biomedicine and industrial applications.School of Biological Sciences Garry.Blakely@ed.ac.uk Karl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukDominic CampopianoNatural product biosynthesis, enzymology, protein structure, antibiotics, innate immunity enzyme inhibitorsSchool of Chemistrydominic campopiano@ed.ac.ukScott L. CockroftResearch in the Cockroft group spans organic chemistry and bionanotechnology. We combine molecules of synthetic and biological origins to examine the physical organic chemistry underpinning molecular interactions and the operation of molecular machines.School of Chemistryscott.cockroft@ed.ac.ukKatherine DunnElectrosynbionics; DNA nanotechnology; bioengineering; biophysicsSchool of Engineering k.dunn@ed.ac.ukAndrew FreeMicrobial biotechnology, gut microbiota, anti-microbial resistance, microbial ecology and evolutionSchool of Biological Sciences Andrew.Free@ed.ac.ukChris Frenchmicrobial and cell free synthetic biology, biosensors and diagnostics, biomaterials, biocatalysis, biomass, bioprocessingSchool of Biological Sciences C.French@ed.ac.ukLouise HorsfallSustainable Biotechnology; Resource Efficiency; Circular Economy; Synthetic BiologySchool of Biological Sciences Louise.Horsfall@ed.ac.ukAmanda JarvisArtificial enzymes for synthetic chemistry, unnatural amino acids and genetic code expansion. School of Chemistryamanda.jarvis@ed.ac.ukNadanai LaohakunakornCell-free synthetic biology, synthetic metabolism, microfluidics, biophysicsSchool of Biological Sciences nadanai.laohakunakorn@ed.ac.uk Davide MichielettoWe use DNA nanotechnology, DNA origami and DNA engineering and exploit DNA-protein interactions to make bioinspired materials. We do in vitro experiments, single molecule imaging and computational modelling. School of Physics and AstronomyDavide.Michieletto@ed.ac.uk Andew MillarOpen Research and Research Data Management, implemented locally through the Bio_RDM team (please contact mailto:bio_rdm@ed.ac.uk), and institutionally through partnership with the University's Research Data Services.Science policy and Research community organisation, which overlaps with Research on Research and the Science of Network Science. Implemented in collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation Studies and Edinburgh Business School, and via Scottish and UK policy engagement.School of Biological Sciences andrew.millar@ed.ac.ukLynne ReganSynthetic proteins for synthetic biology. Biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Protein engineering and design. Protein assemblies and interactions inside cells. Visualising proteins in live cells with new super-resolution imaging methods. Cell-free selection strategies. Interfaces and surfaces. School of Biological Sciences lynne.regan@ed.ac.ukAdam A. StokesThe Soft Systems Group is part of the Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems in The School of Engineering at The University of Edinburgh. We use a wide range of bioinspired engineering approaches to tackle the most challenging issues faced by society.School of EngineeringAdam.stokes@ed.ac.ukJoyce TaitSupport for innovation in life sciences, including foresighting future business models and value chains, analysing the impact of regulatory systems and future regulatory adaptation, and responsible innovation Innogen Institutejoyce.tait@ed.ac.ukEdward WallaceWe study how organisms respond to their environment, focusing on molecular mechanisms used by fungi. We collect and analyze genome-scale datasets to understand how fungi dynamically reorganize their RNA and protein to adapt to environmental change. This includes how fungi adapt to infect human hosts, and how they adapt to produce proteins in industrial bioreactors.School of Biological Sciences Edward.Wallace@ed.ac.ukStephen Wallace Sustainable Chemical Synthesis. Whole-cell Biotransformations. Synthetic Biology. Metabolic Engineering. Biocompatible ChemistrySchool of Biological Sciences stephen.wallace@ed.ac.uk Microbial Systems and AMR NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailHelen AlexanderMicrobial population dynamics and evolution; mathematical modelling and experiments School of Biological Sciences helen.alexander@ed.ac.ukRobin AllshireWe employ a synthetic approach to demonstrate that H3K9 methylation can act as a bona fide epigenetic mark allowing the transmission of information though both mitotic anSchool of Biological Sciences robin.allshire@ed.ac.ukGarry BlakelyOur lab focuses on the genetics, genomics and biochemistry of bacteria. We aim to provide new biological insights and novel biotechnological solutions for both biomedicine and industrial applications.School of Biological Sciences Garry.Blakely@ed.ac.uk Karl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukMeriem el KarouiOur lab aims to understand how bacteria respond to DNA damage, especially after exposure to antibiotics. We use a combination of molecular genetics, single molecule microscopy and mathematical modelling to address this question. School of Biological Sciences meriem.elkaroui@ed.ac.ukAndrew FreeMicrobial biotechnology, gut microbiota, anti-microbial resistance, microbial ecology and evolutionSchool of Biological Sciences Andrew.Free@ed.ac.ukSander GrannemanRNA-binding proteins, RNA structure, protein-RNA interactions, bioinformatics, biochemistry, genetics, pathogenic bacteria, yeast, stress adaptation, dynamics.School of Biological Sciences Sander.Granneman@ed.ac.ukKevin HardwickWe study chromosome segregation in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. We are interested in how it regulates its ploidy during infections, and how aneuploidy is relevant to the generation of drug-resistant strains.School of Biological Sciences Kevin.Hardwick@ed.ac.uk Jamie MarlandMicrofabrication of bioelectronic sensor interfaces, with applications in cell-free synthetic biology and medicine.School of EngineeringJamie.Marland@ed.ac.uk Teuta PilizotaWe are interested in bacterial electrophysiology (including osmotic pressure regulation) and bacterial swimming. Apart from gaining basic knowledge, we apply what we learn for industrial biotechnology and biosensing purposes.School of Biological Sciences teuta.pilizota@ed.ac.ukPeter SwainThe systems biology of cellular decision-making, particularly the response of budding yeast to stress.School of Biological Sciences peter.swain@ed.ac.uk Bartlomiej WaclawI am interested in biological evolution of bacteria, in particular in the evolution of antibiotic resistance. I use computational models and wet lab experiments in my research.School of Physics and Astronomybwaclaw@staffmail.ed.ac.ukEdward WallaceWe study how organisms respond to their environment, focusing on molecular mechanisms used by fungi. We collect and analyze genome-scale datasets to understand how fungi dynamically reorganize their RNA and protein to adapt to environmental change. This includes how fungi adapt to infect human hosts, and how they adapt to produce proteins in industrial bioreactors.School of Biological Sciences Edward.Wallace@ed.ac.ukAndrea WeisseComputational systems biology, bacterial growth, antimicrobial resistanceSchool of Biological Sciences and School of InformaticsAndrea.Weisse@ed.ac.uk Automation and Robotics NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailLucia BandieraWe use an engineering approach to automate modelling and control of biological networks in yeast and mammalian cell systems. Applications in biomedicine include the establishment of in vitro models for chronic diseases and the microfluidic, real-time optimisation of promising therapies.School of EngineeringLucia.Bandiera@ed.ac.ukKarl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukAlistair Elfick School of EngineeringAlistair.Elfick@ed.ac.ukFilippo Menolascina School of EngineeringFilippo.Menolascina@ed.ac.ukTeuta PilizotaWe are developing tools to automate microbial culturing as well as to increase the analytical capability we can obtain during microbial culture growth. A recent start-up from our lab, OG Bio (https://www.ogibio.com/) is commercializing some of the technology.School of Biological Sciences teuta.pilizota@ed.ac.ukSubramanian Ramamoorthy We develop machine learning methods that enable autonomous robots to operate robustly in application domains. These applications motivate us to develop new models and algorithms.School of Informaticss.ramamoorthy@ed.ac.ukAdam A. StokesWe use a wide range of bioinspired engineering approaches to tackle the most challenging issues faced by society.School of EngineeringAdam.stokes@ed.ac.ukGiovanni StracquadanioWe work at the interface of synthetic biology and machine learning to develop new technologies for data-driven bioengineering. We aim at learning Nature's design principles to develop algorithms for engineering biological systems.School of Biological Sciences giovanni.stracquadanio@ed.ac.uk Cellular Agritechnology NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailKarl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukPeter DoernerI am interested in plant cell biotechnology, specifically in using mono-specific plant cells for solutions to chemical/molecular library screening and production platform challenges. Development of synthetic tissues and cell assemblies are also of interest.School of Biological Sciences peter.doerner@ed.ac.ukAndrew HudsonWe investigate how the development of multicellular trichomes is controlled. Trichomes are important in crop protection and are the source of many high value compounds, incluSchool of Biological Sciences andrew.hudson@ed.ac.ukAttila MolnarPlant and alga epigenetics, and industrial biotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences attila.molnar@ed.ac.ukAlistair McCormickPhotosynthesis in plants and microalgae, and engineering approaches to produce novel products or improve productivity. School of Biological Sciences alistair.mccormick@ed.ac.ukGerben van OoijenWe study the molecular mechanisms of the ~24h biological timekeeping system, the circadian clock, and its functional consequences for the physiology and metabolism of plants and phytoplanktonic algae.School of Biological Sciences Gerben.vanOoijen@ed.ac.uk Systems Modelling NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailLucia BandieraWe use an engineering approach to automate modelling and control of biological networks in yeast and mammalian cell systems. Applications in biomedicine include the establishment of in vitro models for chronic diseases and the microfluidic, real-time optimisation of promising therapies.School of EngineeringLucia.Bandiera@ed.ac.ukKarl BurgessMetabolomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Industrial BiotechnologySchool of Biological Sciences karl.burgess@ed.ac.ukAndrew GoryachevBiophysical modelling of cellular morphogenesis and pattern formationSchool of Biological Sciences Andrew.Goryachev@ed.ac.ukRamon GrimaStochastic gene expression; Modelling; InferenceSchool of Biological Sciences ramon.grima@ed.ac.ukSander GrannemanRNA-binding proteins, RNA structure, protein-RNA interactions, bioinformatics, biochemistry, genetics, pathogenic bacteria, yeast, stress adaptation, dynamics.School of Biological Sciences Sander.Granneman@ed.ac.ukNadanai LaohakunakornCell-free synthetic biology, synthetic metabolism, microfluidics, biophysicsSchool of Biological Sciences nadanai.laohakunakorn@ed.ac.uk Andew MillarOpen Research and Research Data Management, implemented locally through the Bio_RDM team (please contact mailto:bio_rdm@ed.ac.uk), and institutionally through partnership with the University's Research Data Services.Science policy and Research community organisation, which overlaps with Research on Research and the Science of Network Science. Implemented in collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation Studies and Edinburgh Business School, and via Scottish and UK policy engagement.School of Biological Sciences andrew.millar@ed.ac.ukDiego OyarzunComputational methods for the analysis of biomolecular networks in Synthetic Biology, Systems Biology, Industrial Biotechnology and Biomedicine.School of Informatics/School of Biological Sciencesd.oyarzun@ed.ac.ukDavide MichielettoWe use DNA nanotechnology, DNA origami and DNA engineering and exploit DNA-protein interactions to make bioinspired materials. We do in vitro experiments, single molecule imaging and computational modelling. School of Physics and AstronomyDavide.Michieletto@ed.ac.uk Linus SchumacherTissue development and regeneration can be seen as group behaviours of cell populations, with complex interactions and dynamic feedback between stem cells and the rest of a tissue. We use mathematical models and computational simulations to test hypotheses in complex biological systems and discern informative patterns in experimental data.Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM)Linus.Schumacher@ed.ac.ukAdam A. StokesWe use a wide range of bioinspired engineering approaches to tackle the most challenging issues faced by society.School of EngineeringAdam.stokes@ed.ac.ukGiovanni StracquadanioWe work at the interface of synthetic biology and machine learning to develop new technologies for data-driven bioengineering. We aim at learning Nature's design principles to develop algorithms for engineering biological systems.School of Biological Sciences giovanni.stracquadanio@ed.ac.ukPeter SwainThe systems biology of cellular decision-making, particularly the response of budding yeast to stress. School of Biological Sciencespeter.swain@ed.ac.uk Edward WallaceWe study how organisms respond to their environment, focusing on molecular mechanisms used by fungi. We collect and analyze genome-scale datasets to understand how fungi dynamically reorganize their RNA and protein to adapt to environmental change. This includes how fungi adapt to infect human hosts, and how they adapt to produce proteins in industrial bioreactors.School of Biological Sciences Edward.Wallace@ed.ac.ukChris Wells WoodOur research focuses on improving the accessibility and reliability of protein design so that it can be adopted more widely as a method for tackling challenges in biotechnology and synthetic biology. To do this, we're developing tools that apply machine-learning, computational modelling and structural bioinformatics to help guide users through the protein-design process.School of Biological Sciences chris.wood@ed.ac.uk Andrea WeisseComputational systems biology, bacterial growth, antimicrobial resistanceSchool of Biological Sciences and School of InformaticsAndrea.Weisse@ed.ac.uk Bio-based Manufacturing in Space NameInterestsAffiliationE-mailCharles CockellWork to understand how microorganisms can be used to extract economically useful elements from extraterrestrial materials such as lunar and Martian rocks.School of Physics and Astronomyccockell@ed.ac.uk Rosa SantomartinoOur aim is to use tools such as microbiology, molecular biology, system biology and geomicrobiology to learn how new biotechnologies could be applied to space, in order to support sustainable space exploration, and how these could inform terrestrial technologies to solve key environmental issues on Earth. Understanding how to use microbes to support in situ resource utilization (ISRU), bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) and waste upcycling in space.School of Physics and Astronomyrosa.santomartino@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2024-06-17
