Professor Ben Goult BSc, PhD
Professor of Mechanistic Cell Biology Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology
About
Personal Statement
Ben joined the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology in March 2024 where his research group specialises in the structural and biochemical studies of the protein talin and its central role in the mechanical computation machinery in all our cells. Our research is focused on how force-dependent binary switches in talin coordinate cellular signalling pathways, and how this is used in the brain to store information in the form of memories.
Our lab is currently funded by Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and the Royal Society.
Career
• 1995-1998 University of Sheffield: BSc(Hons) Biochemistry 2:1
• 1998-2002 UMIST: PhD in Biological Science
• 2003-2005 University of Manchester: Research Associate
• 2005-2006 AstraZeneca Alderley Park: Senior Physical Scientist
• 2006-2012 University of Leicester: Research Associate
• 2012-2014 University of Leicester: Research Fellow
• 2014-2017 University of Kent: Lecturer
• 2017-2020 University of Kent: Senior Lecturer
• 2020-2022 University of Kent: Reader
• 2022-2024 University of Kent: Professor
• 2024-present University of Liverpool: Professor
Professor Ben Goult obtained his first degree in Biochemistry at the University of Sheffield in 1998, before embarking on a PhD in the labs of Dr Tim Norwood (University of Leicester) and Professor Lu-Yun Lian (University of Leicester/ Manchester) developing NMR based approaches for drug discovery. Following a 2year postdoctoral position at the University of Manchester he moved to AstraZeneca Alderley Park as a Senior Physical Scientist. In 2005, Ben returned to Leicester to work with Professor David Critchley on the talin and its role in integrin mediated cell adhesion.
In 2013, Ben discovered the first binary switch in talin, and in 2014, Ben moved to the University of Kent to set up his own research group working on structural mechanobiology of talin and how cells can convert physical cues into biological signals. In 2021, Ben proposed The MeshCODE Theory, and in 2024 Ben moved to the University of Liverpool where his lab works to understand the mechanical basis of memory in the brain.