Biological Chemistry PhD

Cardiff University

Our work covers a wide range of topics including natural product biosynthesis, mechanistic investigation of therapeutic candidates, investigations of disease targets, labelling of biomolecules for product design and creating new-to-nature biomolecules. By integrating expertise across various disciplines, we strive to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge and innovation. Students in our group become equipped with diverse skills and techniques in: Natural Product Chemistry isolation and characterisation of bioactive compounds biosynthesis natural products and their derivatives with alternative bioactivity Agricultural Science development of biopesticides and growth enhancers plant-microbe interactions Protein Technology genetic code expansion for novel protein functions protein engineering and directed evolution Enzyme/Biocatalysis design and engineering of biocatalysts for potential industrial applications mechanistic studies of enzyme function Computational Biology de novo protein design using computational tools molecular dynamics simulations Experimental Techniques high-throughput screening protein crystallography and structural biology mass spectrometry and kinetic analysis Our research is interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with experts in fields of physical chemistry, pharmacy, bioscience and medicine. We maintain strong connections with industry, including partnerships with biotech companies like Epsilogen, EnzyTag, and Syngenta, to translate our research into practical applications. These partnerships provide students with a comprehensive skill set, preparing them for diverse careers in academia, industry, and other high-education sectors. Contacts Administrative contact(s) Dr Ben Ward Administrative contact Emailchemistry-pgr@cardiff.ac.uk Telephone+44(0)29 2087 0302

School of Chemistry