Professor Joel Mackay

Professor
Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences

G08 - Biochemistry Building
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia

T: + 61 2 9351 3906
F: +61 2 9351 4726
E:
W: Related website

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