A boost for medical research
While the availability of whole genome sequences has given biologists an understanding of the building blocks for a wide range of organisms, the next major task is to decipher how these parts are formed and how they interact with each other to form a functioning organism.
The Biophysical Characterisation Facility (BCF) at UniSA's City East campus is helping keep South Australia at the cutting edge of the post-genomic research landscape by allowing scientists to study proteins quantitatively at a biophysical level.
The BCF has a collection of state-of-the-art equipment, including a CD spectrometer, isothermal calorimeter and Biacore TX100.
The equipment allows scientists to examine protein-protein interactions; protein structure, function and stability; kinetic and thermodynamic properties of protein-protein and protein-drug interactions; and the molecular interactions of compounds.
It is this kind of research that is essential, not only to better understand disease and develop innovative new drugs, but also to shed light on the basis behind disease and medicines’ interaction.
Managed by Dr Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, the BCF is a cooperative venture involving UniSA, the University of Adelaide, the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, and the Women's and Children's Hospital.
Management group
The BCF advisory board includes representatives from UniSA, University of Adelaide and meets throughout the year to review progress and recommend strategic initiatives.
Management group members include:
Dr Emma Parkinson-Lawrence
The University of South Australia
Program Director: Medical Sciences UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences
Professor Doug Brooks
The University of South Australia
Professor: UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences
Professor Keith Shearwin
The University of Adelaide
Associate Professor: Molecular and Biomedical Science
Collaborators and clients
The BCF enjoys productive relationships with a number of collaborators and clients
Facility services
The BCF offers access to the equipment for publicly funded researchers as well as offering contract research services to industry.
To check the availability of instruments in the Biophysical Characterisation Facility, please see below:
Contact
For more information about the Biophysical Characterisation Facility, please email Emma Parkinson-Lawrence.
