About
Research (part-time ~25%) on structure/function studies of metalloenzymes involved in the microbial denitrification pathway. A major focus is on novel dissimilatory nitrite reductases that contain tethered heme or cupredoxin domains. Such enzymes have the potential to further our understanding of protein-protein electron transfer processes that are of fundamental importance in biology.
Career History
I was awarded my PhD degree in 1970 for work on the enzymology of microbial utilization of mono- and di-methylamines as carbon and energy source. I then joined the Agricultural Research Council’s Unit of Nitrogen Fixation at the University of Sussex to work on the enzymology of nitrogenase. This, an early example of a multidisciplinary research group of chemists and biologists was directed by Joseph Chatt FRS with John Postgate FRS as assistant director. I was a key project leader in this world-class Unit for 34 years and in 1989 was awarded an Individual Merit Promotion. In 1995 the Unit became a department of the BBSRC-funded John Innes Centre based in Norwich. Subsequently I broadened my research base to include other metalloenzymes of the Nitrogen Cycle.
Positions held:
• 1969-1972 Scientific Officer
• 1972-1976 Senior Scientific Officer
• 1976-1989 Principal Scientific Officer, AFRC Unit of Nitrogen Fixation, University of Sussex
• 1989-2003 Project Leader, John Innes Centre, Norwich,
• 2004 - 2008 Consultant Enzymologist, STFC Daresbury Laboratory,
• 2008 - present, Senior Research Fellow, University of Liverpool.
• Hon. Lecturer in Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, (1991-1995).
• Hon. Lecturer in Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, (1995-1998).
• Hon. Prof. in Biochemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, University of East Anglia, (1998-present).
Prizes or Honours
- Hon Professor of Biochemistry (University of East Anglia, 2000)
- DSc (University of Hull, 1986)