Dr. Maureen Taylor

Biography

Maureen Taylor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, specializing in biological chemistry. Her research focuses on molecular function and sugar-binding receptors involved in cellular recognition events. These receptors bind to specific arrangements of sugars decorating cell surfaces, contributing to cell-cell adhesion and the selective removal of proteins from circulation. Taylor's work includes exploring the role of glycans as recognition signals for specific receptors in animals, which form an intrinsic part of the immune system's response to pathogens. Her collaborative efforts with Professor Kurt Drickamer allow for an in-depth understanding of carbohydrate-recognition domains based on biochemical and biophysical approaches. Taylor's research aims at deciphering the biological functions of these receptors and how genetic variations impact their molecular properties, leading to human diseases. She has a particular interest in sugar-binding receptors within immune system cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Utilizing various cell biology techniques, her studies also investigate the trafficking of these receptors and their role in phagocytosis and endocytosis of foreign entities, providing insights into infections caused by micro-organisms like AIDS and SARS.

Research Interests