Protein-Protein Interactions

Protein-protein interactions control most processes in life, in both healthy and disease states.

Many diseases cause an imbalance of proteins and result in unwanted protein-protein interactions. Targeting these interactions with drug-like molecules is challenging because proteins are large molecules which interact at hydrophobic surfaces.  

However, being able to control these interactions is highly desirable for treatment of disease. We have developed new methods to target protein-protein interactions, allowing us to prepare small molecules that selectively control these biomolecules. Research in the group has looks at the cancer related protein-protein interactions which keep cancer cells alive, and interactions which allow cancer to avoid the immune system. 

- Dr Andrew Beekman