Dr. Ian Molineux

Biography

Ian J. Molineux is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on the mechanisms of phage infection, specifically genome ejection in vivo and the evolutionary genetics of phages. Molineux's major research interest lies in understanding how nucleic acids traverse lipid bilayers, utilizing the bacteriophage T7 as a model system to study the transport of DNA into the host cell at the initiation of infection. His lab investigates the proteins ejected by the phage that create channels for DNA transport through the cell envelope, functioning as a molecular motor. Molineux collaborates with structural biologists, employing electron cryo-tomography to obtain high-resolution structures of intermediates in the infection process. His work encompasses understanding host-parasite interactions and exploring phage therapy protocols through evolutionary genetics models. Current projects involve deciphering the transcription mechanisms of the T7 genome, particularly the role of specific proteins in preventing abortive infections. Molineux’s research contributes to the broader understanding of infectious diseases and molecular biology.

Research Interests