Professor Chris Schofield, FRS

Research in the Schofield group aims to contribute to a chemical understanding of biological systems, where possible of medicinal or agricultural importance. We have a particular interest in metallo-enzymes that are included in antibiotic biosynthesis and resistance as well as in human physiology. The iron and zinc dependent enzymes we study are of intrinsic chemical interest because they can catalyse reactions presently impossible for synthetic chemistry. Some of them also play roles in human physiology and disease, e.g. in enabling us to respond to limiting oxygen availability and to repair damage to our DNA. We are presently interested in understanding the details of how environmental factors regulate gene expression, with a particular focus on oxygen regulated processes. We are a highly collaborative group, often working with researchers in academia and industry. A major current focus is working in the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance to combat antibacterial resistance both in human and farming applications.

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