Professor Ben Goult is a structural mechanobiologist whose work combines structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics and mechanobiology to define the role of how physical and mechanical forces are sensed by cells to control cellular processes.

In 2024, Ben joined the University of Liverpool as a Professor of Mechanistic Cell Biology in the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology.

Ben earned his PhD at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) with Prof. Lu-Yun Lian. Following a postdoctoral position at UMIST working on the proteins that scaffold the synapses of our brains, Ben moved into industry as a Senior Physical Scientist at AstraZeneca (Alderley). In 2006, Ben returned to Academia to work with Prof. David Critchley and Dr Igor Barsukov at the University of Leicester, studying the protein talin. In 2014, Ben moved to the University of Kent, to set up his own research lab working on talin mechanobiology.

Ben is recognized for defining the protein talin as a major mechanosensitive signaling hub, and more recently discovered that talin has “molecular memory” providing organisms with the capability to store data through persistent alterations in protein conformation. His foundational work on talin has shown that mechanosensitive proteins containing force-dependent binary switches are able to store binary information persistently, which can be written/updated using small changes in mechanical force. This led to him proposing The MeshCODE Theory of a mechanical basis of memory.

At Liverpool, Ben’s research centres on understanding the role of these binary switches in memory and in coordinating brain activity, and how they are misregulated in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and cancer. Furthermore, Ben’s research has identified that talin has incredible shock absorbing properties and he is working to harness this special property of mechanosensitive proteins in a new class of Talin Shock Absorbing Materials (TSAMs) which we are translating into new defence and consumer products.

In this lecture, he will share highlights from his scientific journey, his discoveries, and how his work on basic biology is uncovering fundamental insights into how organisms’ sense and respond to physical forces, that are uncovering new targets for advancing human health.

INAUGURAL LECTURE - PROFESSOR BEN GOULT