Robert C. Ford
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View article: Coming Clean and Avoiding Bubble Trouble–Using Detergents Wisely in the Purification of Membrane Proteins for Cryo-EM Studies
Coming Clean and Avoiding Bubble Trouble–Using Detergents Wisely in the Purification of Membrane Proteins for Cryo-EM Studies Open
Detergent solubilisation remains the most commonly used but potentially problematic method to extract membrane proteins from lipid bilayers for Cryo-EM studies. Although recent advances have introduced excellent alternatives—such as amphip…
View article: Coming Clean and Avoiding Bubble Trouble – Using Detergents Wisely in the Purification of Membrane Proteins for Cryo-EM Studies
Coming Clean and Avoiding Bubble Trouble – Using Detergents Wisely in the Purification of Membrane Proteins for Cryo-EM Studies Open
Detergent solubilisation remains the most commonly used but potentially problematic method to extract membrane proteins from lipid bilayers for Cryo-EM studies. Although recent advances have introduced excellent alternatives—such as amphip…
View article: A Structural Bioinformatics-Guided Study of Adenosine Triphosphate-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters and Their Substrates
A Structural Bioinformatics-Guided Study of Adenosine Triphosphate-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters and Their Substrates Open
Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters form a ubiquitous superfamily of integral membrane proteins involved in the translocation of substrates across membranes. Human ABC transporters are closely linked to the pathogene…
View article: The concurrent docking of diphenoquinone and cholesterol to the human ATP-binding cassette A1
The concurrent docking of diphenoquinone and cholesterol to the human ATP-binding cassette A1 Open
Aim: Spiroquinone (SQ) and 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinone (DQ), metabolites of the probucol, promote ABCA1-mediated HDL neogenesis. To further investigate the detailed mechanism, we analyzed the docking pose of these drugs to ABC…
View article: Investigation of F508del CFTR unfolding and a search for stabilizing small molecules
Investigation of F508del CFTR unfolding and a search for stabilizing small molecules Open
Mutation of phenylalanine at position 508 in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (F508del CFTR) yields a protein unstable at physiological temperatures that is rapidly degraded in the cell. This mutation is present in a…
View article: Virtual Drug Repositioning as a Tool to Identify Natural Small Molecules That Synergize with Lumacaftor in F508del-CFTR Binding and Rescuing
Virtual Drug Repositioning as a Tool to Identify Natural Small Molecules That Synergize with Lumacaftor in F508del-CFTR Binding and Rescuing Open
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease mainly caused by the deletion of the Phe 508 (F508del) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is thus withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degrade…
View article: Kite-Shaped Molecules Block SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry at a Post-Attachment Step
Kite-Shaped Molecules Block SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry at a Post-Attachment Step Open
Anti-viral small molecules are currently lacking for treating coronavirus infection. The long development timescales for such drugs are a major problem, but could be shortened by repurposing existing drugs. We therefore screened a small li…
View article: Enrichment and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab Using Affimer Reagents
Enrichment and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab Using Affimer Reagents Open
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. Therapeutic proteins may undergo chemical modifications that may affect the results of bi…
View article: Structure of ABCB1/P-glycoprotein bound to the CFTR potentiator ivacaftor
Structure of ABCB1/P-glycoprotein bound to the CFTR potentiator ivacaftor Open
ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) is an ATP binding cassette transporter that is involved in the clearance of xenobiotics and it affects the disposition of many drugs in the body. Here we have studied ABCB1 in the drug-bound and drug-free states, sim…
View article: Kite-shaped molecules block SARS-CoV-2 cell entry at a post-attachment step
Kite-shaped molecules block SARS-CoV-2 cell entry at a post-attachment step Open
Anti-viral small molecules are currently lacking for treating coronavirus infection. The long development timescales for such drugs are a major problem, but could be shortened by repurposing existing drugs. We therefore screened a small li…
View article: <scp>ATP</scp> binding cassette importers in eukaryotic organisms
<span>ATP</span> binding cassette importers in eukaryotic organisms Open
ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters are ubiquitous across all realms of life. Dogma suggests that bacterial ABC transporters include both importers and exporters, whilst eukaryotic members of this family are solely exporters, implying …
View article: A Guide to Conducting Online Focus Groups via Reddit
A Guide to Conducting Online Focus Groups via Reddit Open
Now more than ever there exists a need to conduct data collection online in a safe environment while ensuring that methodological rigor is not sacrificed. Widely available online platforms allow for text-based focus groups to be conducted …
View article: The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR): THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE AND LOCALIZATION OF A CHANNEL GATE
The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR): THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE AND LOCALIZATION OF A CHANNEL GATE Open
Cystic fibrosis affects about 1 in 2500 live births and involves loss of transmembrane chloride flux due to a lack of a membrane protein channel termed the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). We have studied CFTR st…
View article: Structural and functional diversity calls for a new classification of ABC transporters
Structural and functional diversity calls for a new classification of ABC transporters Open
Members of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily translocate a broad spectrum of chemically diverse substrates. While their eponymous ATP‐binding cassette in the nucleotide‐binding domains (NBDs) is highly conserved, their…
View article: What monomeric nucleotide binding domains can teach us about dimeric ABC proteins
What monomeric nucleotide binding domains can teach us about dimeric ABC proteins Open
The classic conceptualization of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter function is an ATP‐dependent conformational change coupled to transport of a substrate across a biological membrane via the transmembrane domains (TMDs). The binding o…
View article: Recent Strategic Advances in CFTR Drug Discovery: An Overview
Recent Strategic Advances in CFTR Drug Discovery: An Overview Open
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-rescuing drugs have already transformed cystic fibrosis (CF) from a fatal disease to a treatable chronic condition. However, new-generation drugs able to bind CFTR with higher spec…
View article: ABCG2 requires a single aromatic amino acid to “clamp” substrates and inhibitors into the binding pocket
ABCG2 requires a single aromatic amino acid to “clamp” substrates and inhibitors into the binding pocket Open
ATP‐binding cassette sub‐family G member 2 (ABCG2) is a homodimeric ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter that not only has a key role in helping cancer cells to evade the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy, but also in protecting organism…
View article: Nano-encapsulated Escherichia coli Divisome Anchor ZipA, and in Complex with FtsZ
Nano-encapsulated Escherichia coli Divisome Anchor ZipA, and in Complex with FtsZ Open
The E . coli membrane protein ZipA, binds to the tubulin homologue FtsZ, in the early stage of cell division. We isolated ZipA in a Styrene Maleic Acid lipid particle (SMALP) preserving its position and integrity with native E . coli membr…
View article: Affimer–Enzyme–Inhibitor Switch Sensor for Rapid Wash-free Assays of Multimeric Proteins
Affimer–Enzyme–Inhibitor Switch Sensor for Rapid Wash-free Assays of Multimeric Proteins Open
Robust technology is required to underpin rapid point-of-care and in-field diagnostics to improve timely decision making across broad sectors. An attractive strategy combines target recognition and signal generating elements into an "activ…