Biology subjects

Robson, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Robson, A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

CoV-UniBind: A Unified Antibody Binding Database for SARS-CoV-2

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, numerous studies have investigated antibody interactions with viral variants in vitro, and several datasets have been curated to compile available protein structures and experimental measurements. However, existing data remain fragmented, limiting their utility for the development and validation of machine learning models for antibody-antigen interaction prediction. Here, we present CoV-UniBind, a unified database comprising over 75,000 entries of SARS-CoV-2 antibody-antigen sequence, binding, and structural data, integrated and standardised from three public sources and multiple peer-reviewed publications. To demonstrate its utility, we benchmarked multiple protein folding and inverse folding models across tasks relevant to antibody design and vaccine development. We expect CoV-UniBind to facilitate future computational efforts in antibody and vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2. Availability and implementationThe curated datasets, structures, model scores and antibody synonyms are free to download at https://huggingface.co/datasets/InstaDeepAI/cov-unibind. Folded structures are available upon request.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

A framework for decolonising and diversifying biomedical sciences curricula: rediscovery, representation and readiness

To date, most efforts to decolonise curricula have focussed on the arts and humanities, with many believing that science subjects are objective, unbiased, and unaffected by colonial legacies. However, research is shaped by cultural and historical context, and inequities exist in funding, publishing and acknowledging scientific achievements. Our curricula reflect these inequities, perpetuating bias to future generations of scientists. We examined attitudes and understanding towards decolonising and diversifying the curriculum among students and teaching staff in the biomedical sciences at the University of Bristol, to discover whether our current teaching practice is perceived as inclusive. We used a mixed methods study including surveys of staff (N=71) and students (N=121) and focus groups. Quantitative data showed that staff and students think decolonising the curriculum is important, but this is more important to female respondents (p<0.001). Students are less aware than staff of current efforts to decolonise the curriculum, while students from minority ethnic groups feel less represented by the curriculum than white students. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed three themes that are important for a decolonised curriculum: rediscovery, representation and readiness. We propose that this 3Rs framework could guide future efforts to decolonise and diversify the curriculum in the biomedical sciences and beyond.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Surveying insect flower visitors to crops in New Zealand and Australia

The survey of insect flower visitors to crops is an essential component in determining their effectiveness as pollinators. In most cases, different survey techniques are required for different crops because of variation in planting design, floral density, spatial distribution of flowers or where additional factors such as the variation in plant vigour are being explored. Here we provide survey techniques that have been, or are currently being employed to survey flower visitors across different crops in New Zealand and Australia. Future studies may consider the use of similar designs that will allow for increased standardisation within and between locations and studies. This will provide opportunities for improved direct comparisons between studies, and the ability to combine data sets to address broader spatial-scale questions regarding insect pollination.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2017

RAPGEF5 regulates nuclear transport of β-catenin

Canonical Wnt signaling coordinates many critical aspects of embryonic development, while dysregulated Wnt signaling contributes to common diseases, including congenital malformations and cancer. The nuclear localization of {beta}-catenin is the defining step in pathway activation. However, despite intensive investigation, the mechanisms regulating {beta}-catenin nuclear transport remain undefined. In a patient with congenital heart disease and heterotaxy, a disorder of left-right patterning, we previously identified the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, RAPGEF5. Here, we demonstrate that RAPGEF5 regulates left-right patterning via Wnt signaling. In particular, RAPGEF5, regulates the nuclear translocation of {beta}-catenin independently of both {beta}-catenin cytoplasmic stabilization and the importin {beta}1/Ran mediated transport system. We propose a model whereby RAPGEF5 activates the nuclear GTPases, Rap1/2, to facilitate the nuclear transport of {beta}-catenin, defining a parallel nuclear transport pathway to Ran. Our results suggest new targets for modulating Wnt signaling in disease states.

developmental biology↗