Alan Fersht is an organic chemist who has led pioneering studies into the folding and stability of proteins. By applying a broad range of analytical and engineering techniques, Alan has been able to examine the way in which cancerous mutations affect proteins throughout the lifecycle of their host cells.
Long fascinated by the complex systems involved in structural biology, Alan has been a significant contributor to the study of enzymes, as well as one of the founders of protein engineering. The approaches he developed in this field have led to an improved understanding of protein structure and activity, and inspired new treatments for a number of diseases.
Widely recognized for his contributions across chemistry and biology, Alan is a member of many of the world’s most prestigious scientific societies. Amongst his numerous awards, he holds the Royal Society’s Copley, Gabor, Davey and Royal medals, and has been honored with a knighthood for his work on protein science.