Alan R. Davidson

Alan R. Davidson is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on bacteriophages (phages) and their interactions with bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems, with applications in human health, genome editing, and antibiotic alternatives. He has made groundbreaking discoveries in anti-CRISPR proteins and phage-derived biological tools.

• Discovered first phage-encoded CRISPR-Cas inhibitors
• Investigates phage structural biology and assembly
• Studies prophage impacts on bacterial pathogenesis
• Develops phage-related entities for microbiome manipulation

Davidson's lab combines structural biology (X-ray crystallography, NMR, cryo-EM) with molecular biology and microbiology to explore these systems. His work has been recognized with the Sela Cheifetz Award (2015). He teaches advanced biochemistry courses including BCH473Y Advanced Research Project in Biochemistry and BCH2112 From chaperones to CRISPR-Cas: the incredible genius of phages.

His recent research trends include:

• CRISPR-Cas inhibition mechanisms
• Phage structural protein evolution
• Anti-CRISPR functional diversity
• Prophage-host physiological interactions
• Therapeutic applications of phage entities

Scientific Awards:

• Sela Cheifetz Award (2015)

Davidson's lab serves as a training ground for students, emphasizing interdisciplinary techniques in structural biology, molecular biology, and microbiology to tackle complex phage-bacteria interactions.