• David Hopwood's Research

• Mervyn Bibb

Related links

• AT JIC:
• Molecular Microbiology
• Microbes in Norwich
• Summer schools in Applied Molecular Microbiology
• ON THE WEB:
• ScoDB - Streptomyces database
• Streptomyces coelicolor genome sequencing project
• Streptomyces in Nature and Medicine
• Search PUBMED

Curriculum Vitae

• 1954 BA, University of Cambridge, UK
• 1958 PhD, University of Cambridge, UK
• 1957-1961 University Demonstrator in Botany, Cambridge, UK
• 1958-1961 Research Fellow, St John
• 1961-1968 Lecturer in Genetics, University of Glasgow, UK
• 1968-1998 John Innes Professor of Genetics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK and Head Genetics Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
• 1974 DSc, University of Glasgow, UK
• 1979 Fellow of the Royal Society, London
• 1994 Knight Bachelor
• 1998-present Emeritus Professor of Genetics, University of East Anglia and Emeritus Fellow, John Innes Centre

David Hopwood

John Innes Emeritus Fellow

Molecular Microbiology

Contact details

Tel: +44 (0)1603 450338
david.hopwood@bbsrc.ac.uk

Research interests

My responsibility for the sequencing project for the Streptomyces coelicolor chromosome ended when the analysis of the sequence was published by Bentley et al. (Nature, 417, 141,2002). A customised database, called ScoDBII, was constructed for the complete sequence and is curated by Dr Govind Chandra at the John Innes Centre. Meanwhile I have been involved with a study of the role of a global regulator in S. coelicolor called DasR, which plays a key role in the switch from primary metabolism to differentiation and antibiotic production.

My keen interest in the use of genetic engineering to produce novel polyketides has been continued primarily via my role as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Kosan Biosciences in Hayward, California. Kosan pioneered this new technology to produce “unnatural natural products” of potential pharmaceutical utility, focussing on anti-cancer drugs, several of which are in clinical trials. Kosan was acquired in 2008 by Bristol Myers Squibb, who will progress the drug candidates. It remains to be seen what other aspects of Kosan's programme will be continued. 

In early 2007 my book called “Streptomyces in Nature and Medicine: The Antibiotic Makers” was published by Oxford University Press, Inc. It gives a semi-autobiographical account of the study of Streptomyces genetics over the last half-century and the prospects for harnessing genetics to develop novel medicines. Here is a link to a review of the book: http://www.asm.org/microbe/index.asp?bid=56769