Our Laboratory

Our laboratory joined the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science at King's College London in 2021. We are located at the Franklin-Wilkins Building in the heart of London.

The laboratory has all the facilities for cloning, expression, and purification of a wide range of proteins. The lab is equipped with an anaerobic glovebox to work with oxygen-sensitive iron-sulfur proteins, a state-of-the-art system for running western blots, and a dedicated LC-MS system to study enzyme reactions. We have access to state-of-the-art research facilities including a fully equipped cell culture lab, modern protein and western blot imaging system, UV-visible spectrophotometers, and NMR facility.

Our laboratory leads a European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action crossing boundaries of bioinorganic chemistry and immunology (read more). We collaborate with various groups in the United Kingdom and across Europe.

Our Stories

Our team is dynamic and multicultural. We are driven by our passion and desire to reveal the secrets of life and use the knowledge to treat diseases like cancer.

Kourosh H. Ebrahimi

Principle Investigator

I was born in Iran. After finishing my undergraduate and graduate studies in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, respectively, I did my PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof Wilfred R. Hagen (TU Delft). As a postdoc, I had the privilege to work with Prof Michael Farzan (Harvard Medical School), and Prof Fraser A. Armstrong, Prof William S. James, and Prof James McCullagh (all at the University of Oxford). In October 2021, I joined the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science as a Lecturer. Painting with oil on canvas is my hobby.

Yujie Sheng

PhD Student

I am from China. I got my master's degree in Drug Discovery and Development (UCL). My research interest lies in the interface of nanotechnology and therapeutic developments. In my PhD studies, I work on developing a new nanotechnology platform and its use to make nanobots to make new antiviral preventives. Cycling and listening to music are my hobbies.

Thao Nghi Hoang

PhD Student, Vietnam Ministry of Education Fellow

I come from Vietnam. I have an MSc degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. My research focuses on elucidating the emerging role of iron-sulfur clusters and proteins like the antiviral enzyme SAND in immunometabolism and oncometabolism. I am a movieholic and also have a crazy passion for food.

Mengdi (Luna) Wu

PhD Student, CSC scholarship

I'm from China. I have a bachelor's degree in acupuncture-moxibustion and a master's degree in TCM. My PhD research focuses on investigating the emerging role of iron-sulfur proteins in the immune response and their potential for developing novel biocatalysts for preventing viral infections. I am fond of anime and reading psychology books.

Zayed Shalim

MRC Doctoral Training Program, Rotation

I am from London and hold an MSc in Molecular Biology and the Pathology of Viruses from Imperial College London. My academic interests lie in immunology and virology, and I am currently an MRC PhD student on a rotation year. My current project focuses on purifying an iron-sulfur ([FeS]) cluster protein (SAND). Outside the lab, I practice Muay Thai in my free time.

Shujie (Jasmine) Li

PhD Student, CSC scholarship

I am from China. I got my M.Sc. degree in biology (Tongji University). My academic interests lie in Immunology and Cancer Sciences. My PhD project focus on how Fe-S proteins impact oncogene expression and oncometabolism. I like animals and enjoy playing video games in my free time. Currently, I am learning some sports like swimming and tennis

Toni Bryan

M.Sc Student

I am from London. I completed an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (Hons) at the University of Kent. I am currently doing a master's in Pharmaceutical Analysis, Technology and Biopharmaceuticals. My master's project focuses on the development of a screening assay to identify inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. I used to be a national athlete; I now do it as a hobby.

Sumaiya Tanvin

M.Sc Student

I am from London and am currently a MSc student in Pharmaceutical Analysis, Technology and Biopharmaceuticals at King’s College London. My academic interests lie in discovery, development, and delivery of innovative biopharmaceutical products. My MSc project focuses on the engineering of an innate antiviral enzyme (hSAND) and its antiviral production. In my free time I enjoy painting, reading books and being surrounded by cats.

Lara Gafury

M.Sc Student

I am based in London and hold a First-Class undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. I am currently pursuing an MSc in Drug Development, where my research focuses on elucidating the immunomodulatory of action of innate immune antiviral response. Outside of my academic work, I enjoy watching anime, cooking, and staying active through sports.

Dylan Jaff

M.Sc Student

I am a Pharmaceutical Science graduate from Kingston University, currently completing an MSc in Drug Development at King’s College London. My academic background is rooted in drug formulation, analytical chemistry, and rigorous laboratory research. Passionate about life sciences, I am eager to apply my analytical expertise and commitment to professional excellence to future challenges.