James Naismith (chemist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Naismith
FRS FRSE FMedSci MAE FRSC FInstP FRSB
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James Naismith at the Royal Society admissions day in July 2014
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James Henderson Naismith
26 July 1968 |
| Nationality | Scottish, British |
| Other names | Jim Naismith |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
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| Known for | Structural biology |
| Spouse(s) | Rachel Middleton |
| Children | 2 |
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| Thesis | Structural studies of concanavalin A and zinc aldolase (1992) |
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James Henderson Naismith (born 26 July 1968) is a Scottish scientist. He is a Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Oxford. Since 2023, he has been the head of the Mathematical, Physical, and Life Science Division (MPLS) at Oxford.
Before this, he was the first Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute. He also directed the Research Complex at Harwell. He used to be a professor of Chemical Biology at the University of St Andrews. He has also been a member of the Royal Society Council.
Education and Early Career
James Naismith was named after James VI and I. He went to Hamilton Grammar School in Scotland. He then studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. In 1989, he earned a first-class Bachelor of Science degree.
He continued his studies at the University of Manchester. There, he earned his PhD in 1992. His research focused on the chemical structure of certain proteins. In 2016, he received a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree from the University of St Andrews.
After his PhD, Naismith worked as a researcher. He was a NATO Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In 1995, he became a lecturer at the University of St Andrews. He became a full Professor there in 2001.
Research and Discoveries
Professor Naismith's research is all about understanding how proteins work. He uses a method called X-ray crystallography to study their shapes. This helps him understand how they cause diseases.
His work helps scientists find new ways to fight illnesses. He looks at how proteins interact with sugars. He also studies how bacteria make certain molecules.
His research has been supported by many important groups. These include the Wellcome Trust and the European Union.
In 2017, Naismith joined the University of Oxford. He became a Professor of Structural Biology. From 2018, he led the Rosalind Franklin Institute. This institute focuses on advanced scientific research.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Naismith has received many awards for his work. In 2000, he won the Dextra Carbohydrate award. In 2009, he received the Jeremy Knowles Prize. Both were from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In 2014, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists. His work helped explain how proteins recognize other molecules. He also showed how bacteria create certain structures.
In 2022, he was part of a team that won a Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize. They were recognized for their work on tiny antibodies called nanobodies. These nanobodies helped fight COVID-19.
He is also a member of many other important scientific groups. These include the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Academy of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom. He was also elected to the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).
His work has been important in understanding antibiotic resistance. This is a big problem where medicines stop working against germs. He has found new ways to target harmful microbes.
Personal Life
James Naismith is married to Rachel Middleton. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
