Research interests

We have several projects looking at macromolecular interactions involved in growth control, immune surveillance and neuropathology. This leads us into cancer studies, autoimmunity, allergy, AIDS and infection.

A major aim of our research is to understand the role of protein glycosylation in cell regulation and to learn how to manipulate protein and oligosaccharide structure in rational drug design. The methods we use include NMR, MS, HPLC, GC, RAAM (enzymatic oligosaccharide sequencing) and molecular modelling. The molecules we study include glycoproteins, proteoglycans, mammalian oligosaccharides, mucins, microbial polysaccharides, glycoconjugate allergens, mycobacterial glycoconjugates and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors.