Researcher biography

Dr Kobe's research interests are in protein structure and function, focussing particularly on proteins involved in the processes of infection and immunity.

The primary techniques used in the laboratory are X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, combined with a plethora of other molecular biology, biophysical and computational techniques.

Current projects include:

  • Structural basis of signalling by cooperative assembly formation (SCAF) in innate immunity and cell-death pathways, in particular Toll-like receptors and interleukin-1 receptors
  • Structural basis of plant disease resistance - particularly plant NLRs and the correponding pathogen effector proteins
  • Molecular and structural basis of function of proteins from pathogens (fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens)