Ethos

At the Molecular Bionics Group, our research journey begins with exploring the intricacies of molecular and cellular trafficking across biological barriers. By combining cutting-edge microscopic tools with theoretical and computational physics, we investigate transport phenomena at the molecular, membrane, and vasculature levels. These foundational insights drive our understanding of disease aetiology, unraveling the disruptions and mechanisms at the cellular and molecular scales. Through our interdisciplinary approach, we translate these discoveries into the development of groundbreaking medicines, merging biology, physics, and chemistry into a cohesive framework.
Our research into phenotypic interactions is particularly focused on understanding the collective processes that underpin biological function and their implications for health and disease. We study phenomena such as receptor clustering, protein aggregation, membrane trafficking, and chemotaxis, which govern critical cellular behaviours and responses. These processes are dynamic, cooperative, and central to conditions such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and immune system dysregulation. Using the information gathered from studying these collective processes, we aim to mimic them with synthetic analogues. Our goal is to design materials and systems that can integrate with these natural processes, potentially allowing us to influence or control them for therapeutic purposes.
Building on this foundation, we leverage molecular engineering to create supramolecular drugs—complex therapeutic structures that bring unparalleled functionality and precision. Supramolecular drugs, with their intricate architectures, enhance target selectivity and enable multiple therapeutic functions to be embedded into a single unit. These advanced systems go beyond simple interaction with biological targets: they can control biological processes such as receptor clustering, facilitate receptor internalisation, and exploit natural catabolic pathways to activate pro-drug activities. By incorporating these capabilities, supramolecular drugs represent a significant leap forward in therapeutic design, offering innovative solutions to complex diseases.
These integrative approaches are currently undergoing testing for new treatments targeting dementia, cancer, and immunological disorders. Our ultimate goal is to develop advanced therapies that not only deliver solutions but redefine what is possible in restoring health. At the Molecular Bionics Group, we bridge the gap between discovery and application, using our insights to craft therapies that merge seamlessly with the body’s natural systems and processes, pushing the boundaries of modern medicine.