Through billions of years of evolution, nature has optimised diverse chemical structures to serve a vast array of biological functions. We are inspired by nature’s unique templates for bioactive peptides, which often feature structural elements beyond the scope of the 20 common amino acids (examples highlighted below). By devising an approach to synthesise peptide natural products in the lab, we have unlimited flexibility to redesign the molecules and optimise their bioactivity. The Malins group is interested in several anti-cancer, antimalarial, and antibiotic peptides. 2023-2024 projects in this space will involve the chemical synthesis, structural modification, and biological evaluation of peptide leads as next-generation therapies.

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