Ben
Goult

Professor Ben Goult is a structural mechanobiologist based at the University of Liverpool (UK). Goult’s research combines structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics and mechanobiology to define the role of how physical and mechanical forces are sensed through cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion complexes to control cellular processes. Goult has developed an international reputation for his work on the protein talin, and has defined talin as a major mechanosensitive signalling hub. More recently he discovered that talin has “molecular memory” and so provides organisms with a way to store data, through persistent alterations in protein conformation. This led to him proposing The MeshCODE theory which describes a mechanical basis of memory. Goult has establish novel, fruitful links across disciplines working to define the mechanical basis of information-processing in the brain. This work is leading to new insights into the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, neurodegeneration and a rare type of childhood epilepsy. Furthermore, Goult’s research into mechanically active proteins led to the discovery that talin has shock absorbing properties and he is developing this special property of mechanosensitive proteins into a new class of Talin Shock Absorbing Materials (TSAMs) for translation into new defence and consumer products.