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Department of Pharmacology

 

quadruplex

At the very heart of Pharmacology is the need to understand the structures and functions of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA, and the exploitation of drug action at these macromolecular targets for the production of therapeutic benefits. The three members of this theme form a highly collaborative and cohesive group focused on this goal. Edwardson and Henderson have worked together for a number of years on the study of biomolecules using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM enables the imaging of individual molecules under near-physiological conditions. Excitingly, a recently acquired fast-scan atomic force microscope allows real-time imaging of macromolecular activity. Current areas of interest include the assembly and activation-induced structural changes in ionotropic receptors and ion channels, the molecular basis of polycystic kidney disease, the interactions of proteins with membranes, and the use of DNA origami as a scaffold for use in the study of protein function and protein-DNA interaction. Rahman’s research interests include cellular calcium signalling, with a focus on the behaviour and functional regulation of intracellular calcium channels by second messengers such as IP3. He is particularly interested in their behaviour and regulation at the single molecule level. Rahman is also interested in rational design and development of small molecules that can be used to probe or modulate ion channels and also other signalling proteins.

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