Brock Group - Membrane Structural & Synthetic Biology
Biological membranes differentiate our cells from the extracellular environment and micro-organisms that cause disease. Essential to the function of these bio-membranes are the protein molecules embedded within them. My research uses X-ray crystallography and Cryo-Electron Microscopy to visualise these membrane proteins in near-atomic detail to understand how they function in the context of health and disease. For example, how does a resistance transporter protein transport particular drugs selectively? How does a receptor recognise a specific molecule and turn this into a signal affecting cell behaviour? Visualising the structure of these proteins in complex with the molecules they interact with is often a necessary first step in understanding these phenomena for developing treatments and technologies that can benefit society.
I have recently become increasingly interested in using synthetic biology to engineer the membrane proteins within yeast for a particular purpose, including the creation of living bio-sensors for disease diagnosis, displaying a synthetic library of "nanobodies" on their surface and modifying the secretory pathway for high-yield production of valuable proteins.
Group Leader
Research Assistant
Honours Students
PhD Students
Research Officer
Special Project Student
Technical Assistant
Volunteers
Project | Status |
---|---|
A yeast surface display nanobody factory | Current |
Engineering the secretory pathways of yeast | Current |
Structural basis of drug resistance in the Malaria parasite | Current |
Structural basis of Endometriosis | Current |
Structural basis of Resolvin mediated GPCR signalling | Potential |
SynBio enabled biosensors | Current |
![](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/Me_headshot_new.jpg?itok=AUstfB2G)
Joe Brock
![Recorded BSB Seminar - Povilas Uzdavinys](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/media-youtube/egL4VAr-L7Q.jpg?itok=RiIGZbXe)
BSB Seminar Series: My life with membrane proteins: taming membrane transporters
![Recorded BSB Seminar - Sam Lane & Sara Sadeghipour](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/media-youtube/Lu235oRJkgc.jpg?itok=kz7L_we7)
BSB Seminar Series: RSB Precision Fermentation Facility
![Recorded BSB Seminar - Sanjib Senapati](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/media-youtube/BDku9oIWQxI.jpg?itok=yxffGJRE)
BSB Seminar Series: Room temperature DNA storage to enhanced Drug bioavailability: Magic molecules Ionic Liquids in action
![](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/Run%20sheet%20-%20updated_v3.jpg?itok=1XGGE_FT)
Australian Synthetic Biology Challenge: The Final Showcase
![CryoEM Specialisation CryoEM process graphic](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/Mathieu%20Coincon%20CryoEM%20Seminar.jpg?itok=y0xrEsKW)
MicroED for Biological Samples: Requirements, Sample Preparation and Data Processing
![](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/_BSB-Seminar-2.1_0.jpg?itok=qh78tgcU)
The role of nutrient balance in lifespan extension by dietary restriction in Drosophila
![](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/Prof%20Tracy%20Palmer.jpg?itok=ZKiKRSW_)
The Staphylococcus aureus Type VII protein secretion system
![Dr Diana Stojanovski, University of Melbourne](https://biology.anu.edu.au/files/styles/anu_narrow_200_100/public/Dr_Di%2520Strav.jpg?itok=BN2URxoj)