Biomolecular Interaction Centre

My research is primarily interested in how proteins do their jobs, and the myriad of structural forms and interactions that affect their functioning. By using structure-function relationships as a scaffold, I am interested in how this function can be tuned to yield desirable functional features. This research involves studying both soluble and membrane proteins, with an emphasis on studying enzymes. Alongside the proteinaceous research, I am interested in fundamental aspects of mass spectrometry analyses of proteins, and developing supporting software, to uncover new and enabling methodologies.

The research combines structural biology, mass spectrometry, biochemistry, and synthetic biology to investigate the molecular mechanisms of proteins and enzymes, with applications ranging from bioplastic production to antimicrobial resistance and drug discovery. 

My research area is Waves in Complex Media. I use classical waves (e.g. sound and light) to study materials that can not be cut open. These materials range from the human body to food products and industrial materials. I am particularly interested in alternate approaches for imaging, in which we design experiments with arrays of sensors to reveal 'hidden' information about a material or system.

I grew up in Winnipeg, Canada. I studied physics as a undergraduate at the University of Winnipeg, and at the University of Manitoba for my PhD. I then moved to Paris, France, as a Marie Curie Fellow at the Institut Langevin (École Supèrieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles). In 2019, I started a postdoctoral position with the Physical Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Auckland, and continued as an independent Research Fellow with the Department of Physics. In 2024, I moved to the University of Canterbury as a Senior Lecturer.

Dr Daniel Foley is an organic and medicinal chemist in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the University of Canterbury. Dan leads a vibrant research team with interests spanning synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry, working closely with key collaborators in biology. His research focuses on developing new synthetic methods, including preparing natural product‑inspired compounds, to accelerate the discovery of novel bioactive molecules (e.g. for drug and agrochemical discovery).

Originally from the UK, Daniel completed an MChem at the University of Manchester, followed by a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at the University of Leeds. His postdoctoral training includes an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship (Leeds & Diamond Light Source) and a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Fellowship at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology. He joined UC in 2018 and supervises researchers across a range of levels in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry projects.

Daniel’s recent recognitions include a Thieme Chemistry Journal Award 2025 and a University of St Andrews Global Fellowship (2025).

Link to Dan's personal website: https://foleynz.wixsite.com/foleylab

Fungi and oomycetes play key roles in the breakdown of organic matter in almost every ecological niche on the planet. Yet there are many species that are pathogenic and can cause disease. These present an increasing risk to ecosystems and human affairs.

Aspects of their pathogenicity that we are investigating include (1) their ability to grow invasively with their cells (hyphae) acting like pressurised drill bits, generating protrusive force and (2) the ability of their reproductive propogules to survive environmental stress.

We are trying to understand these processes using conventional cell biology, biophysical and biochemical techniques, coupled with Lab-on-a-Chip microfluidic devices. 

For two Radio New Zealand broadcasts about this work see: 

• www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/201848180/honey-i-shrunk-the-lab
• www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld/2021?share=elf_audio_2018810238

I am also passionate about biological education and have published a number of papers in teaching/education journals. For my teaching I have been awarded a UC Teaching Award (2019) and twice been voted Science Lecturer of the year by undergraduate students (2019 and 2024).

My background in Environmental Sciences (Universidad de Alcala, Spain) sparked my interest in the complex and multi-faceted relationships between people and the environment, for good and for bad. During my PhD in Ecology and Conservation (Universidad de Alcala and CSIC, Spain), which focused on the development of plant communities in contaminated soils, this interest narrowed down a bit more in terrestrial ecosystems, and mostly soils and plants. My post-doc in Lincoln University (New Zealand) brought me to the realm of organic waste, and how to circularise its resources to improve soil health and plant nutrition. My position as Team Leader Biowaste in ESR (New Zealand) allowed me to fully explore my Environmental Science skill set and mind-set where I could work much broader in this topic, with scientists, communities, regulators, consultancies, and industry in a really enriched environment.

I have forty years of experience in bioinorganic chemistry, at the interface of coordination chemistry and biochemistry. My research explores the synthesis and reactivity of organic ligands while they are attached to metal ions. I’m particularly interested in coordination complexes that contain multiple metal centres, including heterodinuclear and mixed-metal systems. Many of these have potential biological or medicinal applications, and a significant focus of my work involves developing synthetic routes to photoactivated anticancer drugs — metal complexes that can be triggered by light to deliver targeted therapeutic effects (and reduce side effects).

RESEARCH COLLABORATION AND INDUSTRY PROJECTS

I work collaboratively with a range of research and industry partners who are interested in applying chemical insight to real-world challenges. I’ve contributed to projects spanning synthetic chemistry, product development, and regulatory interpretation. Some of this work involves providing foundational chemistry related to cough testing protocols that are used to assist diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders. I enjoy translating complex chemical knowledge into practical solutions across sectors.

SCIENCE EDUCATION, CHEMICAL NOMENCLATURE, AND DATA GOVERNANCE

Through my involvement with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), I’ve helped shape international standards that support teaching, learning, and the consistent communication of chemical knowledge. I am an internationally recognised expert in chemical nomenclature and structure representation. I am committed to making chemistry accessible and interoperable across disciplines, and I regularly contribute to curriculum development, outreach activities, and the translation and interpretation of complex chemical concepts for diverse audiences.

Alongside my laboratory research, I’m deeply engaged in the development of chemical nomenclature and structural representation systems. I’ve co-authored numerous IUPAC publications and books that define global standards for chemical nomenclature and terminology, helping ensure consistency and clarity in how chemical knowledge is communicated. My leadership roles within IUPAC, including eight years service as Secretary General, reflect my commitment to advancing international standards in chemistry.

I also have a strong interest in the governance and policy aspects in the context of scientific data. As an active member of CODATA and other global science organizations, I contribute to discussions around data quality, research data infrastructure, stewardship, and accessibility. I’ve authored and contributed to reports on the research data landscape in New Zealand, addressing challenges around data culture and policy. This work allows me to connect core chemical research with broader questions of digital science and data-driven discovery — an intersection that will be increasingly vital to the future of research.

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. My current research focuses on bacteriophages - viruses that infect bacteria - and their applications in food safety, particularly the development and characterisation of phages targeting Listeria monocytogenes. I also investigate microbial communities associated with green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) to better understand host microbe interactions in Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine ecosystems. I completed my PhD at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, where I studied antiviral strategies against flaviviruses. Beyond my current projects, my broader research interests lie in antiviral research and the study of medically and veterinary important viruses.

Craig Herbold is a microbial ecologist with interests that span evolution, diversity, and ecological roles of microorganisms using genome-resolved metagenomics. He teaches and mentors students in evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and microbial genomics through the integration of theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning.

I studied at the University of Canterbury (UC) in chemical and process engineering as an undergraduate. I then went overseas to complete a PhD at the University of Cambridge, including a semester at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following my PhD, I remained at the University of Cambridge, first as a postdoctoral researcher and then as a lecturer. I returned to UC in 2015 to raise my family here in New Zealand.

My research focuses on understanding the fundamental behaviour of chemical processes using advanced experimental techniques. Chemical and process engineering often depends on simplified models and heuristic equations to design processes whether for the production of fine chemicals (such as pharmaceuticals) or bulk chemicals (such as fertilisers). While these methods work well for established technologies, they are not always optimal for new manufacturing routes or innovative process designs. As we move to developing new, sustainable chemical and process engineering systems, it is important we develop a deeper understanding of what's going on inside the systems. This is where my research contributes.

Despite a strong interest in fundamental understanding, my research also has strong connections with industry. I have worked with a variety of companies around the world, ranging from major chemical companies, such as BASF, to IT companies like Microsoft Research.

Current research interests include:

• the development of novel structures that exploit additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology to design the next generation of sustainable process engineering systems.
• using machine learning to help elucidate the composition of chemical mixtures, especially for the analysis of illicit drugs.

Dr Jodie Johnston is a biochemist and structural biologist in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the University of Canterbury, specialising in protein structure and function with interest in applying knowledge gained to problems spanning health, infectious diseases, drug discovery and biotechnology. Her research focuses on understanding how protein structure underpins biological function, with particular interest in bacteria, including human, plant and animal pathogens and food-safe/biotechnology friendly bacteria. She has an expertise in menaquinone (vitamin K2) and its biosynthesis and in thiamine diphosphate (active form of vitamin B1) dependent enzyme systems. Her work seeks to address fundamental molecular questions about bacteria (energy generation, virulence and persistence, and environmental adaptation and antimicrobial resistance) and about protein behaviour (protein-ligand interactions, enzyme catalysis and protein regulation and communication mechanisms) as well as more applied questions focusing on antimicrobial inhibitor discovery and design, and protein engineering to create better biocatalytic protein synthetic biology tools and improved fermentative vitamin supplement production.

She uses a combination of macromolecular X-ray crystallography, biochemical and biophysical characterisation tools, and 3D structural analysis to investigate how proteins move, bind, and change shape, with this understanding underpinning biological function studies and protein bioengineering efforts. She collaborates widely including with computational biochemists, synthetic medicinal chemists and microbiologists. Her work contributes to fundamental understanding of protein biology and supports applications in drug discovery, antibiotic development, and biotechnology.

Jodie is also active in synchrotron science, working with international beamline facilities to solve high‑resolution protein structures. She supervises postgraduate students across structural biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry and molecular bioscience.