Professor Joel Mackay
|
Professor
G08 - Biochemistry Building |
|
Research interests
The primary focus of the Mackay group is to understand protein function at the molecular level, with a particular emphasis on three areas:
*the role and nature of protein-protein interactions in the control of gene expression,
*the structural and functional diversity of zinc-binding domains, and
*the design of new proteins with tailored functions.
Experimental approaches range from molecular and cell biology and biochemistry through to biophysical methods. In-house, we have access to NMR spectroscopy (400 and 600 MHz), X-ray crystallography, CD, analytical ultracentrifugation (XL-A), a Biacore 3000, Microcal IT/DSC instruments, mass spectrometry (QSTAR and LC-MS), static and dynamic light scattering and cell culture and fermentation facilities.
Current national competitive grants*
2009
NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship B
Mackay J
NHMRC Research Fellowship ($618,750 over 5 years)
New mechanisms of DNA recognition by zinc-finger domains
Mackay J
ARC Discovery Project ($420,000 over 3 years)
A new mechanism of gene regulation
Mackay J, Crossley M
ARC Discovery Project ($670,000 over 3 years)
2007
Manipulating the self assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers
Sunde M, Kwan A, Mackay J
ARC Linkage Project ($110,000 over 4 years)
2006
Regulation of gene expression: biomolecular interactions in cellular development and disease
Crossley M, Mackay J, Matthews J
NHMRC Program Grant ($2,880,000 over 5 years)
* Grants administered through the University of Sydney