My research focuses on modelling the forced unfolding of proteins. There are currently several experimental techniques which allow a force to be applied to a protein to promote unfolding, such as atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers. However, these methods do not allow an atomistic insight into the unfolding process. The development of accurate Molecular Dynamics (MD) models would allow us to obtain types of data not available through traditional experimental means. However, the long timescales associated with protein unfolding (1μs upwards), along with the large amounts of computing power required to run MD simluations, mean that it is currently not possible to simulate unfolding over physiologically-relevant time periods.

My project is concerned with developing methods to reduce the time taken to carry out such simulations, thus extending the simulation timescales available to researchers. This is being undertaken both by refining existing all-atom techniques, and by working on more coarse-grain models which allow greater sampling. The is a joint project between the School of Chemistry and the School of Pharmacy, and is funded by the Nottingham Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Interdisciplinary Training Centre.

1. Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis - Group Talk
   31st January 2006
2. Computational Chemistry Group - Group Talk
   7th March 2006
3. Computational Modelling and Informatics Group - Group Talk
   9th May 2006

Single Molecule Mechanics: Bridging the Gap Between Experiment and Simulation
Nottingham Nano IDTC Annual Meeting, July 2006

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2002 with a BSc(Hons) in Molecular Cell Biology. After working in IT for three years, I returned to academia in 2005 to begin my PhD project. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, which I am lucky enough to be able to combine with my two other main interests. The first is hiking and camping, primarily in the mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales. The other is watching live music, and to this end I run a website to showcase my photography.