Dr. Alisdair Boraston

Dr. Alisdair Boraston is a Professor and the Undergraduate Advisor for the School of Molecular Life Sciences. Academic credentials include a BSc and PhD from the University of British Columbia.

Visualizing how proteins interact with sugar

Research Interests

 Dr. Boraston studies how proteins recognize and interact with carbohydrates. These interactions are essential to many biological processes, including communication between cells, microbial attachment, toxin delivery, and the organization of cell surfaces. His laboratory investigates how disease-causing microorganisms recognize carbohydrates on human cells, enabling them to colonize tissues or cause infection. His team also studies microbial enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates such as cellulose, starch, and other plant materials. By revealing the molecular structures and mechanisms underlying these interactions, his research may support the development of new treatments for infectious diseases, carbohydrate-based therapeutics, and improved enzymes for biotechnology and the sustainable processing of plant biomass.