Keith Gull is a biologist who has made particular contributions to our understanding of eukaryotic microorganisms, or protists — tiny organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other specialised functional machinery enclosed within membranes. His research focuses on fungi, slime moulds and trypanosomes, parasites that cause sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis in humans.

His work has provided important insights into how cells construct their cytoskeleton, a fibrous network that maintains the physical structure of the cell. In particular, he has revealed interesting insights into how tiny microtubule proteins act. He also discovered the mode of action of the antifungal drug griseofulvin, leading to advances in fungicides and treatments for infection with parasitic worms.

Keith is Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Oxford where his research group works on integrated aspects of biology from an evolutionary and health perspective. He was appointed a CBE in 2004 for his services to microbiology and is a Member of Cancer Research UK.