Bela Bode
Group Highlights
The group’s research focusses on using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to study the microscopic structure and dynamics of (bio)molecules and materials.
When investigating (bio)molecular structures we often find that the methods available have not been proven to be reliably applicable under the specific circumstances of a given research question. The group embraces the challenge of adapting and implementing EPR methodology to obtain the maximum information content. The ultimate vision is a general approach to determine macromolecular complex structures from EPR data through both long-range interactions between spins and their interactions with their surrounding probing the local chemical environment.
In a nutshell, EPR detects the magnetism arising from the “spin”, a quantum mechanical property of unpaired electrons. Although electrons are contained in all matter, they are commonly paired, quenching their magnetism. However, some molecules and materials, such as radicals and paramagnetic metal ions, exhibit unpaired electrons. Using EPR, it is possible to study the unpaired electron and its surrounding through its magnetic spin measuring distances on the nanometre (one billionth of a metre) scale. Over the past 15 years, these distance measurements have developed into an important and powerful method for investigating the nanoworld of large (bio)molecules.
http://chemistry.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/beb/group/index.php
Research
Group Members
Dr Katrin Ackermann
Laura Remmel
Publications
Chapters
Advanced EPR spectroscopy for investigation of biomolecular binding events
Wort, J., Oranges, M., Ackermann, K. & Bode, B. E., 2020, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance: Volume 27. Murphy, D., Chechik, V. & Bode, B. (eds.). Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Vol. 27. p. 47-73 27 p. (SPR - Electron Paramagnetic Resonance).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Pulsed Electron-Electron Double Resonance (PELDOR) and Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy in bioanalysis
Bode, B. E. & Norman, D., 22 Sept 2019, (E-pub ahead of print) Radiation in bioanalysis: spectroscopic techniques and theoretical methods. Pereira , A., Tavares , P. & Limão-Vieira , P. (eds.). Cham: Springer, Cham, Vol. 8. p. 195-212 18 p. (Bioanalysis (Advanced materials, methods, and devices)).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Articles
Swapped and non-swapped TRAAK states co-exist in membranes at a ratio influenced by temperature
Bode, B., 5 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Nature Communications.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Broad substrate scope C-C oxidation in cyclodipeptides catalysed by a flavin-dependent filament
Sutherland, E., Harding, C. J., du Monceau de Bergendal, T., Florence, G. J., Ackermann, K., Bode, B. E., Synowsky, S., Sundaramoorthy, R. & Melo Czekster, C., 24 Jan 2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 14 p., 995.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Chiral molecular 4f qubits by post functionalization
Hansen, S. H., Buch, C. D., Bode, B. E. & Piligkos, S., 21 Dec 2025, In: Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers . 12, 24, p. 8000-8007 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
In-cage recombination facilitates the enantioselective organocatalytic [1,2]-rearrangement of allylic ammonium ylides
Hartley, W., Kasten, K., Greenhalgh, M. D., Feoktistova, T., Wise, H., Laddusaw, J., Frost, A. B., Ng, S., Slawin, A. M. Z., Bode, B. E., Cheong, P. & Smith, A. D., 8 Jan 2025, In: Journal of the American Chemical Society. 147, 1, p. 1101-1111 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
CRISPR antiphage defence mediated by the cyclic nucleotide-binding membrane protein Csx23
Grüschow, S., McQuarrie, S., Ackermann, K., McMahon, S., Bode, B., Gloster, T. & White, M., 12 Apr 2024, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 52, 6, p. 2761-2775 15 p., gkae167.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
EPR spectroscopic characterisation of native CuII-binding sites in human serum albumin
Ackermann, K., Wu, D., Stewart, A. J. & Bode, B. E., 28 Aug 2024, In: Dalton Transactions. 53, 32, p. 13529-13536 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Monitoring the conformational ensemble and lipid environment of a mechanosensitive channel under cyclodextrin-induced membrane tension
Lane, B. J., Ma, Y., Yan, N., Wang, B., Ackermann, K., Karamanos, T. K., Bode, B. E. & Pliotas, C., 22 Mar 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Structure.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Pulsed EPR methods in the Angstrom to nanometre scale shed light on the conformational flexibility of a fluoride riboswitch
Remmel, L., Meyer, A., Ackermann, K., Hageluken, G., Bennati, M. & Bode, B. E., 3 Sept 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. Early View, 11 p., e202411241.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Pulse dipolar electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy distance measurements at low nanomolar concentrations: the CuII-trityl case
Ackermann, K., Heubach, C., Schiemann, O. & Bode, B. E., 31 Jan 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 15, p. 1455-1461 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activation of Csm6 ribonuclease by cyclic nucleotide binding: in an emergency, twist to open
McQuarrie, S., Athukoralage, J. S., McMahon, S. A., Graham, S., Ackermann, K., Bode, B. E., White, M. F. & Gloster, T. M., 27 Oct 2023, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 51, 19, p. 10590-10605 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Other publications
Correction: Pulse dipolar EPR for determining nanomolar binding affinities
Ackermann, K., Wort, J. L. & Bode, B. E., 9 Aug 2022, In: Chemical Communications. 58, 67, p. 9438 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Pulse dipolar electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals buffer modulated cooperativity of metal templated protein dimerization
Oranges, M., Wort, J., Fukushima, M., Fusco, E., Ackermann, K. & Bode, B. E., 25 Aug 2022, In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 13, 33, p. 7847-7852
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Correction: Assessing dimerisation degree and cooperativity in a biomimetic small-molecule model by pulsed EPR
Ackermann, K., Giannoulis, A., Cordes, D. B., Slawin, A. M. Z. & Bode, B. E., 28 Oct 2015, In: Chemical Communications. 51, 84, p. 15472
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
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