The O'Neill Lab

Our research lab is based in the Biodiscovery Institute at the University of Nottingham. We are studying how to make use of the metabolic complexity of unusual organisms. 

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Algae are well known to produce a wide range of high value compounds of benefit to human health, and can be grown relatively easily. Research is underway into the use of algae as nutritional supplements to enhance the diet of malnourished children and HIV-infected adults, for example. Algae and bacteria also produce complex small molecules, which can act as toxins, anticancer agents and antibiotics. Our research is on using novel analytical chemistry techniques to investigate the production and bioactivity of these more complex molecules by algae. 

We are also looking at using specific enzymes to carry out a range of chemical transformations, from making new biocompatible polymers to adding functional groups to proteins and degrading plastics. Generally this work involves identifying useful enzymes and expressing them for use in vitro.