Nigel Scrutton has made major contributions to studies of enzyme structures and mechanisms. His ambitious and wide-ranging interdisciplinary approaches have exploited the use and integration of time-resolved spectroscopies, structural biology, computational simulations and theory. He has elucidated mechanisms of biological electron and hydrogen transfer, discovered new cofactors, and emphasized the role of dynamics in catalytic cycle chemistry, substrate and product binding, as well as drug and other small molecule interactions.
His work is on both fundamental and applied aspects of biological catalysis, especially in relation to the emerging bioeconomy. He is Director of the UK Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub and a Founding Director of the fuels-from-biology company C3 BIOTECH Ltd. He is also Director of the Synthetic Biology Research Centre ’SYNBIOCHEM’. He is former Director of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, which under his leadership was recognised by the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
He is recipient of the Biochemical Society Colworth Medal, the Royal Society of Chemistry Charmian Medal, the Rita and John Cornforth Award, and Interdisciplinary Prize.
Professional position
- Director and Professor of Molecular Enzymology, UK Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, University of Manchester
- Director and Professor of Molecular Enzymology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Manchester
Subject groups
- Chemistry
Chemistry, biological
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biophysics and structural biology
