Nicholas Taylor

Structural biology

In the cells of our body there are thousands of so-called molecular machines which are involved in transporting molecules through cell membranes. Nicholas Taylor explores the structure and function of complex molecular machines to better understand their biological role and eventually harness them for biomedical purposes. The question at the heart of his research is how molecular machines facilitate processes like bacterial motility and viral defence. He is particularly interested in the way bacteriophages – viruses that attack bacteria – introduce DNA and proteins into host cells. 

Nicholas Taylor is a world-leading expert on high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a procedure that enables the structures of biological molecules to be visualised at virtually near-atomic resolution. The biological samples are flash frozen so that glass-like ice is formed instead of crystals which allows the samples to be examined in their natural, functioning state. By combining cryo-EM with other biophysical and functional tests, Taylor and his research group are able to acquire a complete picture of these systems. His research results deliver fundamental insights into transport through cell membranes and can help to develop structure-based active ingredients and drugs. 

Located in Saarbrücken, Saarland University plans to enhance the international visibility of its focus on translational drug development by driving state-of-the-art molecular imaging techniques. It aims to become one of Europe’s leading anti-infection research institutions. In his role as Humboldt Professor, Nicholas Taylor is tol head a cutting-edge cryo-EM core facility that is already under construction. 

Brief bio

Nicholas Taylor is a professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He conducted post-doctoral research in Basel and Lausanne, Switzerland, as well as in Madrid, Spain, and Heidelberg where he completed his doctorate in molecular biology at EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory) in 2011. In 2021, he was named EMBO Young Investigator and in 2025, honoured as a Future Leader in Biophysics by IUPAB (International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics).

Nicholas Taylor has been selected for a Humboldt Professorship and is currently conducting appointment negotiations with the German university that nominated him for the award. If the negotiations end successfully, the award will be granted in 2027.