Judy Hirst, Professor of Biological Chemistry at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge, has had a definitive hand in every advance towards defining the highly complex mechanism of complex I catalysis, and has developed new physical and biochemical methods to address the elusive coupling mechanism between the redox reaction and proton translocation. She established the mechanism of complex I inhibition by the anti-diabetic drug metformin, and has used kinetic and thermodynamic strategies to define how superoxide production by complex I, responds to the intramitochondrial NADH/NAD+ ratio to directly link two pathological effects of complex I dysfunction. This seminal work has brought understanding that is fundamental to critical issues of health and disease on a global stage.
Fellow
Back to directory listingProfessor Judy Hirst FRS FMedSci
Job Title
Professor of Biological Chemistry
Department
MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit
Institution
MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit
Year elected
2019
Interests
SpecialitiesBiological energy conversion; oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria; respiratory complex I; electron cryomicroscopy and biomolecular structure/function.
Section committee elected byPhysics, chemistry, biochemistry, structural biology, mathematical sciences including statistics, informatics, imaging and engineering applied to biomedicine
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