Dr Lia De Faveri

Profile

I completed my PhD at the University of Leeds in 2018, where I was based in the BioScreening Technology Group (BSTG) within the Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology. The BSTG developed an artificial binding protein called an Affimer; in which a small stable protein scaffold is randomised at the binding interface so that libraries of these molecules can then be screened against a wide range of targets. My project focussed on utilising Affimers to modulate the activity of the metallo-ß-lactamase NDM-1, which confers bacteria with almost complete resistance to all ß-lactam antibiotics and is a major contributor in the rise of dangerous superbugs.

I currently work as a Research Fellow within Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine. We are using in silico modelling to design new small molecule agonists to mimic the insulin-sensitising actions of IGF binding protein-1, with the aim of developing novel diabetes therapeutics that address glycaemia but also reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.


 

Research interests

My research interests are focussed around drug design and discovery, with particular interest towards diabetes and associated cardiovascular implications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology
• BSc Applied Genetics

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine