Peptides and proteins are naturally occurring molecules that govern the most important processes in life, from DNA replication in cells to photosynthesis in plants. As a chemical biologist, Associate Professor Yu Heng Lau has discovered how to manipulate the shape and structure of these molecules using synthetic techniques, unlocking their potential for treating disease and improving sustainability.
Associate Professor Lau’s team has developed the first peptide-based therapeutic candidates for treating childhood bone cancers by targeting a novel pathway known as the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). His team has also made fundamental discoveries on the structure and assembly of cage-forming proteins known as encapsulins, which are now being developed as tools for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of crops.
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