Membrane Protein Biology
Investigating the structure and function of ion and protein translocation machineries
Our Research
Our lab focuses on the structural and functional characterization of protein and ion translocation machineries within the membranes of pathogenic bacteria. We use primarily X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM in combination with other molecular approaches to gain a detailed understanding of how these membrane protein complexes function.
Our Recent Publications
-
A surface lipoprotein on Pasteurella multocida binds complement factor I to promote immune evasion
PLOS Pathogens - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012686
-
Reconstitution of surface lipoprotein translocation through the Slam translocon
eLife Sciences - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.72822
-
Rational selection of TbpB variants yields a bivalent vaccine with broad coverage against Neisseria gonorrhoeae
npj Vaccines - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-01054-0
Dr. Moraes completed his undergraduate training in the Department of Biochemistry at Queen’s University in 1997 and an MSc there with Dr. William Plaxton in 1999. He obtained his PhD in 2004 at the University of Alberta, supervised by Drs. Michael Ellison and J. N. Mark Glover, followed by post-doctoral studies with Dr. Natalie Strynadka at the University of British Columbia.  Dr. Moraes has had an active research lab in the Department of Biochemistry since 2009.
