Welcome to the Protein Design and Enzymology (PDE) group website
The Protein Design and Enzymology Group (PDE) is part of the Section for Biomolecular Sciences and focuses on understanding how the primary protein structure (the sequence of aminoacid residues) relates to the 3-D structure and function. The overriding themes in our research portfolio are:
- Protein Design
- Protein Dynamics
- Protein Evolution
- Protein Function
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Jakob R. Winther, Professor KU profile page | Personal homepage My scientific work is focused on basic aspects of protein chemistry and using molecular biology and molecular genetics to understand structure-function relationships in proteins. The main areas of experience include disulfide bond formation and thiol-disulfide redox reactions, in particular in a chemical/biophysical setting with a strong focus on in vitro characterization. |
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Kresten Lindorff-Larsen, Professor KU profile page | Personal homepage The primary tools used in our research are computational methods that we use to study the structure and dynamics of proteins. A particular focus is methods that combine experimental data from NMR spectroscopy with molecular simulations. In one set of studies we combine experiments and simulations to provide a detailed structural interpretation of the experimental data. In another methods to predict what mutations are likely to occur and give rise to drug resistance and what possible mutations giving rise to drug resistance would actually render the enzyme inactive. |
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Martin Willemoës, Associate Professor KU profile page | Personal homepage Our work includes elucidating the mechanism of catalysis and regulation for enzymes involved in complex polysaccharide degradation (amylase, mutanase and alpha-mannosidase), for proteases (HIV protease), antibiotic resistance conferring enzymes like beta-lactamase and small molecule converting enzymes mainly from nucleotide metabolism. |
PhD projects
We offer a range of different PhD projects, often in collaboration with international academic coworkers or industrial domestic partners. As a phd student you are accepted into the PhdDschool at the Faculty of Science and become part of the PhD program in Protein Science. Please apply directly with the individual principal investigators.
MSc and BSc Student Projects
The group has an extensive collaboration around techniques and subjects and share equipment and ideas with the rest of the Section for Biomolecular Sciences. When working in the group you will be confronted with the following techniques either directly in your own project or through the person on the bench next to you. The major techniques used include:
- Computational protein biology
- Protein design software
- Sophisticated high throughput assays
- Directed evolution molecular selection systems
- Biophysical techniques (protein stability and folding)
- Molecular biology (cloning, PCR, mutagenesis)
- Protein expression and purification
- Analytical techniques (UV-VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy, RP-HPLC)
The PDE has a strong focus on education and welcome new students in the lab. All students participate in the weekly PDE seminars that is held jointly with the Protein Biology Group, where students give at least one short presentation while working in the lab. If you want to hear more about working in the PDE from a student perspective you are welcome to contact one of the students in the staff list.
You can find current proposals for BSc and MSc projects within PBG in our project database.
Courses
The Protein Design and Enzymology Group offers teaching in the BSc and MSc and PhD courses on protein and cell-biology related subjects. You can see a list of the courses taught by the members of the group in the list of courses taught by the Section for Biomolecular Sciences.
We are always happy to receive applications from potential postdocs, PhD, Masters, and Bachelor students, and we welcome applications from both Denmark and abroad. If you are interested in joining the lab or just want to know more about our work, find the relevant scientific staff member and contact us by phone or email – or stop by one of the labs in the Biocenter (see map here).
See currently open positions here.
Postdoc positions
Open positions are advertised broadly in the relevant media.
In addition, chances of obtaining postdoc grants are quite good when applying with Danish and/or international foundations. If you are interested in applying contact the scientific staff member that you would like to work.
PhD projects
The University of Copenhagen offers studentships for students holding a Danish or foreign Masters degree. In addition, possibilities exist to apply for funding from private foundations. Phd students are accepted into the PhD school at the Faculty of Science and become part of the PhD program in Protein Science.
Masters and Bachelor students projects
We always offer both Masters and Bachelor projects within our different areas of research. For more information and a list of current projects in the University of Copenhagen project database here.
For all types of positions, please contact the staff to discuss specific projects.
Contact
Protein Design and Enzymology Group
Section for Biomolecular Sciences
Ole Maaløes Vej 5
DK-2200 Copenhagen N
GROUP MEMBERS
Prof. Jakob Rahr Winther
Prof. Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
Assoc. Prof. Martin Willemoës