Understanding Signalling Pathways Mutated in Inherited Disorders

Inside cells, a set of enzymes called kinases add chemical tags to proteins to switch their activity on or off—and when those tags go wrong, diseases like Parkinson’s, cancer, and high blood pressure can follow. This research programme aims to map the precise molecular wiring of three specific kinase pathways that are known to malfunction in these conditions: LRRK2 in Parkinson’s disease, SGK3 in cancer, and WNK in hypertension. While scientists know these pathways are involved, the exact chain of events—which proteins get tagged, in what order, and with what consequences—remains unclear. Filling in those gaps is essential for understanding why a mutation in a single kinase can trigger such different diseases. If the work succeeds, it could provide drug developers with clear molecular targets: a specific kinase to block in a tumour, or a particular protein interaction to stabilise in a neuron. The researchers plan to share their findings with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies, potentially leading to more precise diagnostics and treatments for conditions that affect millions of people. This is fundamental science with a clear translational path—the kind that turns a molecular diagram into a drug candidate.