Supervisor(s): Professor David Greening and Alin Rai
The Molecular Proteomics team incorporates advanced proteomics, systems biology, cell signalling, molecular biology, nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, regenerative cell biology and expertise in molecular therapies. Our goal is to identify new deliverable therapeutic targets and therapeutic strategies to understand vascular and cardiac disease, and ultimately facilitate effective engineered approaches for next-generation cell-free cardiac therapy.
Project summary
Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important and central regulatory mechanisms of cell and organ signalling pathways. The dynamic and reversible phosphorylation of proteins, regulated by kinases and phosphatases under the control of complex signalling networks, modulates protein activity, binding interactions and subcellular localisation, which constitutes a critical regulatory network dictating cardiac contractility, metabolism, and cell survival.
Understanding the precise spatiotemporal landscape of protein phosphorylation is critical for developing the next generation of heart failure therapeutics. Traditional systemic kinase inhibitors often fail due to off-target toxicities; because kinases like PKA and CaMKII govern diverse cellular processes, blanket inhibition disrupts essential physiological functions.
This project will explore mapping distinct temporal windows and localised pools to design targeted interventions — offering new insights into the temporal landscape of phosphorylation in the heart and the concept design of highly precise, microdomain-specific therapy while leaving global cellular signalling intact.