Research Interests Overview

IAPs as Ub-receptors in Ub-dependent survival signalling 

Although ubiquitylation may regulate protein function through conformational changes, the most common mode of regulation by Ub-conjugation involves specific “Ub-receptors” that recognise ubiquitylated proteins and link them to downstream biochemical processes.

Ub-mediated regulation of caspases 

Investigating the molecular mechanism through which IAPs block caspases.

Linking microbial infections to chronic inflammation and cancer 

Clinical studies indicate a link between cancer and infectious agents as well as chronic inflammatory disorders. It is thought that infectious agents or inflammatory disorders lead to activation of NF-κB, resulting in production of growth and survival factors that stimulate cancer. Thus, activation of NF-κB seems to cause inflammation-induced tumour growth and progression.

Ubiquitin-mediated regulation of cell death 

Studying the mechanism of how the Ub conjugation and deconjugation system impacts on cell survival.

Systematic analysis of putative components of the Drosophila cell death machinery and innate immune response

Identifying new cell death regulators.

Overcoming the anti-apoptotic threshold

Investigating IAP-binding proteins to identify novel IAP-regulatory proteins.