The research in our lab covers a broad range of topics unified by a single theme – the problem of protein synthesis. We are using evolution as a discovery tool to understand why the protein synthesis machinery is so astonishingly diverse across the three domains of life, and how it adapts to environmental challenges, including drug exposure. Through laboratory evolution experiments, biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology we study how the protein synthesis machinery evolves, on a timescale ranging from several days – as during antibiotic resistance evolution – to several billion years – as during the early evolution of life on our planet. In doing so, our research helps uncover fundamental principles of molecular evolution leading to various adaptations, including antimicrobial resistance.
Blog
The Pac-Man rule
Apparently there is an amazingly simple and elegant trick to help people interact with new people at conferences (and other social events). And I am not talking about chutzpah (although this is a great quality to have, at least within reason). What I am talking about is the Pac-Man rule: https://www.ericholscher.com/blog/2017/aug/2/pacman-rule-conferences/
Cost-effective lab suppliers
For those who are starting a lab on a lean budget, exploring new directions, or simply looking to invest wiser, there is a handy database of cost-effective lab suppliers: http://www.sciencemadness.org/smwiki/index.php/Lab_suppliers
Integrated bug management
In late 1970s, agriculture encountered a major crisis in pesticide resistance leading to the near-collapse of the cotton industry in several countries. This crisis forced the industry to devise the Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach that aims to minimize the risk of pesticide resistance by limiting pesticide use and by trying to manage pests …
Contact
We are located on the 3d floor of Catherine Cookson Building (lab M3.032) at the Medical School of Newcastle University.
Mailing address:
Melnikov Lab
Biosciences Institute of Newcastle University
Framlington Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4HH
UK
Phone:
+44-(0)191-208-5810
Email:
sergey.melnikov@ncl.ac.uk
If you want to support research in Melnikov Lab, please consider a donation: