Structural biology plays a pivotal role in revolutionising drug discovery by providing intricate insights into the three-dimensional architectures of biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. This field employs powerful techniques like X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to visualise and understand the atomic-level details of these biomolecules.

In drug discovery, this knowledge is invaluable as it allows scientists to comprehend the specific binding sites, conformational changes, and molecular interactions that occur during biological processes. By elucidating the structure of target proteins involved in diseases, researchers can design and optimise drug candidates with greater precision. This approach significantly accelerates the drug development process, helping to identify potential therapeutic agents more efficiently and with a higher likelihood of success.

Furthermore, structural biology enables the rational design of drugs by facilitating the exploration of ligand-receptor interactions. The detailed structural information obtained through various techniques aids in the identification of small molecules or biologics that can selectively bind to specific protein targets, modulating their function and potentially mitigating disease-related processes. Additionally, structural insights help researchers predict the potential side effects and pharmacokinetic properties of drug candidates, contributing to the optimisation of lead compounds before entering clinical trials. Overall, the integration of structural biology into drug discovery processes enhances the precision and success rate of drug development, ultimately leading to the creation of safer and more effective therapeutic interventions for various diseases.

We offer a range of structural techniques to characterise biologic samples:

• X-ray crystallography including soaking and co-crystallisation
• CryoEM to assess complex, flexible, dynamic samples 
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)