Stephen Withers

Stephen focuses primarily upon enzymes that catalyse glycoside formation and hydrolysis, since these play crucial roles in all areas of biology. Applications of his research range from the development of new catalysts for industrial processes to the design, synthesis and testing of new therapeutics.  Particular emphasis is on investigating the detailed mechanisms of enzymes that carry out glycoside hydrolysis, and indeed contributed heavily to the understanding of cellulase catalysis. These insights now inform his design of reagents for monitoring enzymes within complex mixtures, as well as our efforts in engineering and evolution of these enzymes.