Professor Tuomas Knowles

Interests

We work on the physico-chemical properties and behaviour of biological molecules and soft materials. The research in the group is highly interdisciplinary. Members of the group have a wide range of backgrounds. We used methods from biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering and physics, and work in close collaboration with other groups in Cambridge and overseas.

We apply new physical methods to understand the misfolding and aggregation of proteins molecules into amyloid fibrils of the type encountered in neurodegenerative disorders. The techniques used in our laboratory include biosensors, optical lithography, microfluidic devices and scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy. We also have an interest in applying theoretical concepts from statistical mechanics and chemical kinetics to protein systems.

Atomic force microscopy image of individual nanoscale amyloid fibrils
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Research Focus

Equipment

Biosensors

Microfluidics