Institute: University of Manchester
Biography
I am a protein scientist, principally working in the area of cell surface proteins from microbial pathogens and their interactions with the immune system. My work has covered a wide range of biophysical and structural techniques, applied to understanding how proteins from bacterial pathogens interact with host cell surface receptors and antibodies. Current work in my lab is spread across three main areas:
1. Integral outer membrane proteins from Neisseria- from fundamental studies to vaccine components.
Neisseria meningitidis is the causative agent of bacterial meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and is a significant public health problem in developed and developing countries. I have worked for many years towards an understanding the structure and assembly of the cell surface proteins from this organism (eg Marsay et al J Infect 71, 326-337; Saleem et al. PloS ONE 8 e0056746). Current work is aimed at using that information to develop improved vaccines against the disease. We seek to integrate protein structural studies with antigen design, through use of novel protein assemblies and scaffolds for antigen presentation.
2. Aggregation of biotherapeutic proteins- mechanism and effects on the immune response.
Therapeutic protein drugs (eg monoclonal antibodies) are now well established in the treatment of many major human diseases; we are examining how aggregation and other modifications impact on the nature and vigour of the immune response to biopharmaceutical drugs.
3. Understanding type IV pilus assembly and natural competence in Gram-negative bacteria.
Type IV pili are complex polymers, made up principally of a major pilin subunit, which extend 1-2μm from the surface of the bacterium. Our general aim is to use a range of biochemical and biophysical methods to study how this process works at the molecular level.
Key Publications
Web Links of Interest
https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/jeremy.derrick.html