Chemistry of Life Theme: leader of WG 2 – Modulating the function and activity of both macromolecules and small molecules of life using chemical biology, LINXS Fellow

Zoë Fisher, Group Leader for Deuteration and Macromolecular Crystallisation, European Spallation Source, Lund, Sweden.

Zoë joined the ESS in 2014 and is a senior scientist in the deuteration and macromolecular crystallization team at the ESS and holds an adjunct senior lecture position with the Biology Department at Lund University. Zoë’s background is in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, and biochemistry with a strong emphasis on structural biology to study the structure and function of macromolecules. Her research interests are in the combination and application of using isotope labeling strategies for NMR, neutron and X-ray crystallography experiments to address mechanistic questions of how biomolecules work. This includes looking at how ligands bind and interact with the target molecules through hydrogen bonds, electrostatic/ionic interactions, and the role that water plays in binding interactions. The Chemistry of Life theme fits with her research interests in using structural data from neutron & X-ray crystallography to inform on the properties of small molecules (ligands/substrate/inhibitors/activators) than can modulate enzyme activity and/or protein structure.