Our major research programme concerns the folding, stability and activity of proteins. We apply a broad multi-disciplinary approach that combines methods and ideas of molecular biology and physical-organic chemistry. We use techniques including protein engineering, DNA cloning, sequencing and mutagenesis, cell culture, gene and peptide synthesis, spectroscopy, rapid reaction techniques, multi-dimensional NMR (we have a 500, 600, 700 and an 800 MHz spectrometers) and x-ray protein crystallography.

Current major projects include: protein folding, misfolding and disease; drug discovery; and structure-activity relationships of proteins involved in cancer and disease.

Although now emeritus, I am still fully active in research with long term funding, including an MRC Programme Grant.

Publications

Intramolecular nucleophilic catalysis in the hydrolysis of substituted aspirin acids.
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(1968)
90
SERIES NUCLEOPHILIC CATALYSIS IN HYDROLYSIS OF 3-ACETOXYPHTHALATE . INTRAMOLECULAR CATALYSIS OF ESTER HYDROLYSIS BY CARBOXYL GROUP ONCE REMOVED
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(1968)
90
Hydrolysis of aspirin. Intramolecular general base catalysis of ester hydrolysis
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
J Am Chem Soc
(1967)
89
Structure and mechanism in intramolecular catalysis. The hydrolysis of substituted aspirins.
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(1967)
89
Intramolecular nucleophilic catalysis of ester hydrolysis by the carboxylate group
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(1967)
89
Intramolecular general acid catalysis of ester hydrolysis by the carboxylic acid group
AR Fersht, AJ Kirby
Journal of the American Chemical Society
(1967)
89