Our research

Generation of novel chemical probes for questions in biology

The Calder lab uses an advanced form of mRNA display to screen trillion-member peptide libraries for molecules which exhibit very tight and selective binding of protein targets. These are then used to develop chemical probes for the investigation of translationally important targets.

Research areas: chemical biology, probe and tool development, peptide development and mRNA display

Doctor Ewen Calder profile

Novel sensors to probe in vitro tissue models and organ health

Our research group has led the field in the development of embedded sensors for 3D tissue models. Our sensors are typically based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and are capable of making non-invasive measurements in various tissue microenvironments. We work collaboratively with engineers, physicists, biologists and clinicians and have developed sensors to make measurements in spheroids, organoids and ALI models derived from patient tissue. Our sensors can be functionalised to be sensitive to a variety of analytes including metabolites, pH, redox potential and enzyme activity.

Research areas: surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, biosensors

Professor Colin Campbell profile

High throughput phenotypic screening

The Carragher lab is focussed on the advancement of cell-based assay screening technologies across multiple disease areas of unmet need. We utilize automated liquid handing, high content imaging, commercial and bespoke-designed compound libraries and software pipelines to identify novel therapeutic targets, chemical starting points for drug discovery and drug combination hypotheses.

Research areas: cell based screening, phenotypic drug discovery, network pharmacology and drug combinations

Professor Neil Carragher profile

Single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy

The Edinburgh Single-Molecule Biophysics Group specialises in the development and application of super-resolution and single-molecule microscopy techniques to visualise complex biological systems. They primarily focus on neuroscience and neurodegenerative disorders, but also have projects working on cardiovascular diseases, extracellular vesicle detection, and method development.

Research areas: chemical biology, neuroscience, cardiovascular science, molecular imaging

Professor Mathew Horrocks profile

Horrocks Lab website

Electrochemical biosensor and nanoelectrochemistry

Work in the Meng group currently focuses on developing electrochemical biosensors for medical and environmental applications. Our toolbox includes cutting-edge electrochemical instruments, surface functionalisation techniques and macro- to nano-electrode/pipettes.

Research areas: electrochemistry, surface functionalisation, nanopipette biosensing

Doctor Lingcong Meng profile

Dynamic activatable fluorophores to image immune cell function

The Vendrell lab uses a combination of organic chemistry, peptide/protein synthesis, biological and immunology assays and bioimaging to develop novel fluorescent probes for imaging functional readouts of immune cells. The team has translated fluorescent technologies for broad use within the scientific community and in clinical studies. To date, 9 reagents have been licensed to 4 companies and are commercialised worldwide.

Research areas: chemical biology, fluorescent probes, bioimaging, immunology

Professor Marc Vendrell group website