Colin Jackson

Prof. Colin Jackson is a Professor in the Research School of Chemistry at The Australian National University. His research interests lie at the interface between biology, chemistry, and physics, focusing on understanding the fundamental chemistry underlying biological function. He explores questions such as how enzymes accelerate chemical reactions and how mutations enable enzymes to evolve new functions. His group is also interested in applied science, using chemical techniques to manipulate biological systems, including the design of small molecules and engineering proteins. Prof. Jackson has held research positions at CSIRO and has been a visiting research fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Institut de Biologie Structurale.

Colin Jackson is a professor specializing in protein chemistry and evolution, with a focus on understanding the biochemical mechanisms underlying microbial adaptation and enzyme function. His research explores the evolution of new enzyme activities, particularly in the context of xenobiotic metabolism and bioremediation. He investigates how protein dynamics and structural changes contribute to functional innovation, using both natural and computationally designed enzymes as models. His work also addresses the role of protein engineering, including the incorporation of unnatural amino acids, in enhancing enzyme performance. Additionally, he examines the physiological and biochemical roles of redox reactions in microbial systems, with implications for environmental and industrial applications.