Dr. John Burke

Dr. John Burke is a Professor in the School of Molecular Life Sciences. Academic credentials include a BSc from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD from the University of San Diego.

How lipid signalling enzymes control cell function

Research Interests

 Dr. Burke studies how lipid molecules help cells communicate and respond to their environment. His laboratory focuses on phosphoinositides, a family of signalling lipids that regulates many important cellular activities. When these pathways are disrupted, they can contribute to cancer, infectious diseases, and age-related changes. His team uses advanced approaches—including cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, and biochemical analysis—to visualize proteins and understand how they interact with lipids and cell membranes. The laboratory also investigates how these pathways are altered during viral and parasitic infections. By defining these processes at the molecular level, his research supports the development of potential treatments for cancer, malaria, and viral diseases.