Structural Biology Division

Established on 1 January 2001, the role of this Division is to contribute to the discovery of new medicines through studies of the three-dimensional structures of proteins and nucleic acids that are likely to be targets for drugs. The spatial structure of proteins can be determined experimentally either by x-ray crystallography or by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Division supports work in both of these techniques. Collaborations with other Divisions of the Institute are characteristic and will become even more common. Structural Biology activities with the Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division (protein regulators of programmed cell death) and the Infection and Immunity Division (malaria antigens and drug targets) are proceeding already. Our chemistry and nuclear magnetic resonance groups are both located at the Victorian College of Pharmacy in Parkville. The x-ray crystallographers have now taken up residence in new laboratories, formerly Ward 8 North of the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The chemists hope to move to their new laboratories in the WEHI Biotechnology Centre at Bundoora in early 2003.