DoctorN. Amy Yewdall

My research centres on the design and engineering of bottom‑up synthetic biological systems, with a particular focus on constructing functional bioassemblies such as nanostructures and phase‑separated compartments. By reconstituting biological complexity from minimal components, my group seeks to understand—and ultimately harness—the emergent behaviours of biomolecules. This work underpins new opportunities in health, biotechnology, and therapeutic innovation, where precisely engineered assemblies can act as delivery vehicles, reaction hubs, or programmable cellular mimics.

 

A major strand of my research investigates the biochemical principles that drive the self‑assembly of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules into dynamic, phase‑separated condensates. These membraneless compartments are essential for organising biochemical reactions in cells, yet their dysregulation is increasingly linked to neurodegeneration, cancer, and other complex diseases. By reconstructing these systems in vitro, we aim to uncover the molecular rules governing their formation, stability, and function. This knowledge provides a foundation for developing strategies to modulate condensate behaviour in disease contexts.

 

At the heart of my research is a commitment to advancing fundamental understanding of how biomolecular condensates operate as organisational and regulatory units within cells. We explore how condensates influence reaction kinetics, spatial patterning, and cellular decision‑making, and how these properties can be repurposed for synthetic biology applications. Through this work, we aim to inform the next generation of disease therapies, biosensing platforms, and engineered biological systems. Our discoveries contribute to a growing global effort to decode the molecular logic of life’s self‑organising processes.