Contact
Research
Research in the Ciulli Lab broadly spans the fields of Chemical Biology and Structural Biology of Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) and is specifically concerned with studies of druggability of PPIs to small molecule modulators. Of particular interest are protein surfaces and interfaces recognizing protein Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) within multi-domain and multi-subunit protein complexes. We employ a question-driven, multi-disciplinary approach that combines chemical, biophysical and structural techniques with the concepts and approaches of fragment-based and structure-based drug design. The 'chemical probes' we design and develop are evaluated biophysically, structurally and whenever possible within living cells as tools to address biological questions, and as starting leads with potential to be developed as novel therapeutics.
Current and future research efforts are directed towards targeting PPIs and PTM recognition within two protein families of biological and medical relevance:
Ubiquitin System: the Cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) multisubunit complexes
Chromatin System: Multidomain proteins of containing paired domains of the epigenetic reader families
Teaching
BS42011: A 4th year mocule entitled "Advanced Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology"
Stories
Press Release
A new translational research centre will bolster the University of Dundee’s world-leading position in a field that is revolutionising drug discovery, while helping to facilitate the development of high growth companies and create skilled jobs.
Press Release
Amphista Therapeutics, a University of Dundee spinout company, has announced a near-£40 million investment that will further its work to develop new drugs for a range of diseases.
Press Release
The University of Dundee is to partner with global biopharmaceutical company Almirall to develop new treatments for severe skin diseases with high level of unmet medical need.