Prof Jonathan Heddle manages the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter at Durham University. 

Designing and Understanding Biological Nanomachines

Abstract: Rapid progress is being made in our ability to design and build structures from nucleic acids and proteins with the latter having made significant headway recently due to advances in computational capabilities. New frontiers include instilling designed structures with dynamic and responsive properties and combining approaches and materials to make more complex systems such as artificial cells. In this regard we still have much to learn from natural nanomachines. Here I will give an overview of our work to understand complex natural protein machines (DNA gyrase) as well as our recent studies in designing and building artificial responsive systems such as programmable protein cages.

If you would like to meet Jonathan during his visit, please email Dr Thom Sharp.