Directory of Experts
Details for Dr John Crosby
| Personal details | |
| Name | Dr John Crosby |
| Job title | Senior Lecturer |
| Department | School of Chemistry University of Bristol |
| Contact details | This expert can be contacted via the University of Bristol Public Relations
Office. To help us deal with your request, please mention the Directory of Experts when contacting the Public Relations Office. work+44 (0)117 331 8092 email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk |
| Qualifications | B.Sc.(Hull), Ph.D.(Edin.) |
| Professional details | |
| Keywords | protein structure Protein mass spectrometry enzymes secondary metabolism proteins enzyme kinetics polyketide biosynthesis |
| Areas of expertise | Research in our group involves the use of a broad range of techniques including protein expression and purification, enzyme kinetics, and the accurate mass analysis of these large biomolecules by electrospray mass spectrometry. By isolating individual enzymes and establishing structural details, enzyme specificities, and kinetic characteristics we hope to understand fully how biosynthetic pathways are controlled. Enzymology of Polyketide Biosynthesis Many biologically active compounds are synthesised in nature via the polyketide pathway. The core of all polyketide structures is similar, and is assembled by a multicomponent enzyme system, the polyketide synthase (PKS). The synthase controls a series of cycles of reactions in which simple building blocks (usually acetate) are linked via carbon bond formation, followed by a highly specific sequence of modifying reactions. We aim to understand how the PKS controls the exact sequence of chemical steps involved in the biosynthesis of antibiotics. |