The Applied Biosciences Research and Enterprise Group encompasses a broad range of multidisciplinary research interests including protein biochemistry and biotechnology, medical microbiology, mechanisms of disease and education for promotion of health and wellbeing.

The group has access to state-of-the-art facilities and is comprised of experienced academics, early career researchers and students working within and beyond the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences with national and international collaborators of industry, healthcare and academia to boost research potential and translational impact.

Current specific research investigates the proteins from pathogens, focussing on calcium binding proteins, metabolic enzymes and cytoskeletal components, the engineering of enzymes for biocatalytic purposes, especially sugar kinases and oxidoreductases, the microbial stress biochemistry, including applications to biofuels, the mycobiome of chronic wounds and its impact on wound healing, the epidemiology of unusual and endemic neglected fungal diseases, the diagnostics and point-of-care testing in microbiology, the cryopreservation of articular cartilage, aiming to advance osteoarthritis treatment, the cellular mechanisms of bone lengthening, the role of small non-coding microRNAs in osteosarcoma, and the tumour microenvironment, including the intercellular communication between tumour associated macrophages, cancer associated fibroblasts and tumour cells. Additional research covers the development of learning and teaching strategies and education interventions, for example addressing organ donation and transplantation, to empower student learners, foster inclusive practice, and promote the health and wellbeing of the community.