Capacity Building in Redox Biology

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The University of Glasgow is uniquely positioned to take significant and wide-ranging advantage of recent advances in redox biology.
The University contains a number of research groups that are interested in redox reactions involving the reversible modification of protein thiol groups. Specifically, those which can give rise to allosteric regulation of proteins – either to control their enzymatic activity or their ability to act as signalling molecules.
So far, the proteins identified to be regulated in this way appear to be just the tip of the iceberg; the list of proteins modified in this way is growing exponentially.
The impact of this field will be on par with other noteworthy protein modifications such as phosphorylation or ubiquitination.
It is, therefore, timely to focus efforts on:
• developing core expertise in the chemical characterisation of the small molecules involved in thiol modification;
• determining the targets for modification; and
• identifying the specific modifications that occur to proteins as they happen within a cellular milieu.
The Glasgow redox research groups are focussed on understanding regulation of protein function and cellular physiology at every level – from biological organisation to the implications for individuals and disease.
These groups have a shared mission to quantify redox changes and identify changes to protein thiol groups as they occur within cells and tissues.
Our aim for the technology we will develop is to bring these research groups together providing them with a marked competitive advantage. In doing so, we will build a shared capability that will be introduced to other research groups as appreciation for this emerging field becomes fully understood.
Our long term strategic aim is to establish a Centre of Excellence in Redox Biology. We will use this discovery award to develop a strong foundation for this venture.