Alix Harlington

I am a structural biologist and biochemist specialising in protein structure–function relationships, enzymology and drug discovery. My research integrates X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), biochemical assays and molecular dynamics simulations to understand how protein structure governs function and to identify novel drug targets and biocatalysts.

I am currently based in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology with Dr Pramod Nair, where my research focuses on identifying and characterising novel drug targets for schizophrenia. This work combines molecular dynamics simulations with biochemical and structural biology techniques to investigate receptor behaviour and protein interactions relevant to neuropsychiatric disease.

I completed my PhD at The University of Adelaide in 2025 under the supervision of Associate Professor Keith Shearwin and Dr Fiona Whelan. My doctoral research investigated the structure–function relationships of cytochrome P450 enzymes, combining biochemical characterisation, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM to understand substrate specificity and catalytic mechanisms. This work included the characterisation of P450 peroxygenases for the demethylation of lignin-derived aromatics. 

More broadly, my research aims to bridge structural biology and functional biochemistry to better understand complex biological systems and to enable the rational design of enzymes and therapeutic targets. I am particularly interested in applying structural and computational approaches to address challenges in human health and sustainable biotechnology.