Protein design: from fundamental understanding, through entirely de novo structure and assemblies, to real-life applications.
Research
CPD research is organised into three themes
Theme 1: Programmable De Novo Protein Design, aimed at improving methods for protein design by combining rational, physics-based and AI-based approaches
Theme 2: Contextualised Protein Design, that is, designing proteins that are fit for purpose such as working directly and optimally in cells, chemical reactors, etc
Theme 3: Biodesign for Sustainability and Healthcare, for instance working with biotech and industry to deliver synthetic proteins to address real-world challenges and needs.
More specifically, some of the CPD’s cross-disciplinary research programmes include: the de novo design of cell-penetrating peptides and proteins to target subcellular processes; the de novo design of protein-based conformational switches, and dynamic energy-transducing systems; and the design of de novo enzymes to catalyse reactions not performed by natural enzymes.