Biochemistry and Biomedicine

Our research can be summarised by the exploration of disease-causing genes and proteins and approaches to maintaining human and animal health.

Scientist looking through a microscope in a lab at the ÄûÃÊÊÓƵ

Research areas

Our work ranges from cell-based genome and proteome-wide analyses to experiments at single molecule resolution using cell biology, structural biology and bioinformatics.

Our research covers four areas of expertise. Find out more about the work of our scientists in each area:

  • Gene expression

    We study how genes underpin complex life and we use this knowledge to better understand and treat diseases.


    Gene expression is a complex, dynamic process which determines the function of a cell. We strive to understand the intricate mechanisms of this process and the role that it plays in various diseases and developmental disorders. ”PROFESSOR MICHELLE WEST
    Professor of Tumour Virology

    Our faculty

    • : Function and evolution of plant genomes
    • : RNA in epithelial cancer initiation and progression
    • : Chromatin remodelling and transcription
    • HPV-associated cancers and protein ubiquitination
    • : Cell signalling and the development of leukaemia
    • : Signalling pathways in eukaryotic cells
    • : Gene expression in bacteria 
    • : Epstein-Barr virus celluar reprogramming and transformation

    Our research groups

    Find out about the work we are doing in our research groups:

  • Biotechnology and Informatics

    We use biotechnology and bioinformatics to understand a range of biological data and to produce biological resources. This includes developing insecticides and fungicides to support food security, predicting compound/drug interactions and producing novel materials.

    Our faculty

    • : Function and evolution of plant genomes
    • : RNA in epithelial cancer initiation and progression
    • : Bacillus thuringiensis and its insecticidal toxins
    • : Cell signalling and translational cancer
    • : Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics
    • : Molecular chaperones especially Hsp90
    • RNA regulation in proliferation and cellular stress
    • : Epidemology and antigenicity of (re)emerging viral zoonoses

    Our research groups

    Find out about the work we are doing in our research groups:

  • Cancer Biology

    We study and aim to further understand diseases which become rapidly more frequent with ageing. Our expertise lies with cancer and neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease.

    Our faculty

    • : RNA in epithelial cancer initiation and progression
    • : Cell signalling and translational cancer
    • : Chromatin remodelling and transcription
    • HPV-associated cancers and protein ubiquitination
    • : Cell signalling and the development of leukaemia
    • : Signalling pathways in eukaryotic cells
    • : Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics
    • : Molecular chaperones especially Hsp90
    • RNA regulation in proliferation and cellular stress
    • : Epstein-Barr virus celluar reprogramming and transformation

    Our research centres and groups

    Find out about the work we are doing in our research centres and groups:

  • Infectious disease

    We focus on the properties of infectious diseases, the impact that they have on human and animal health and the development of new treatments.

    Our faculty 

    • HPV-associated cancers and protein ubiquitination
    • : Gene expression in bacteria 
    • : Molecular chaperones especially Hsp90
    • : Epstein-Barr virus celluar reprogramming and transformation
    • : Epidemology and antigenicity of (re)emerging viral zoonoses

    Our research groups and centres 

Who we work with

We have many important internal collaborations with the:

We also work closely with many external research partners.

We are grateful to all of our funders which include:

  • the Medical Research Council
  • The Biotechnology
  • Bioscience Research Council
  • Cancer Research UK
  • The Wellcome Trust
  • Bloodwise
  • Action Against Cancer
  • Wysta Laboratories
  • The Kay Kendall Leukeamia Research Fund
  • Agform Ltd
  • The European Union
  • Evotech UK
  • The Royal Society
  • Innovate UK and more.

Leandro Castellano
“The Biochemistry and Biomedicine Department at Sussex has a strong focus on human health and food security but there is also deliberate encouragement to complement this with the investigation of basic mechanisms in other organisms.” DR Leandro castellano
Head of Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine

Contact

If you have any queries, contact our Head of Department:  at L.Castellano@sussex.ac.uk.


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