Christopher Dowson

Professor Christopher G. Dowson is a renowned microbiologist at the University of Warwick, holding a personal chair since 2000. He co-leads the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) theme within the Health GRP and serves as Co-Director of the Sir Howard Dalton Centre for Translational Mechanistic Enzymology. His interdisciplinary research bridges biology, chemistry, and structural biology to combat AMR through innovative drug discovery.

• Education:
  • PhD in Microbiology, University of Bath (1987)
  • BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology, University of Bath (1982)

Research Focus: Dowson’s work centers on antibiotic resistance mechanisms, particularly targeting peptidoglycan and protein biosynthesis pathways. His lab develops high-throughput assays and leverages structural biology platforms like XChem at Diamond Light Source to identify novel inhibitors. Collaborative efforts span institutions in the UK, EU, US, and Japan, with industry partners including AstraZeneca and GSK.

Scientific Awards & Roles:

• MRC Millennium Medal 2017
• Lister Institute Centenary Fellow (1991–1996)
• Trustee and Chair of Scientific Committee, Antibiotic Research UK
• Co-Director, Sir Howard Dalton Centre

Funding & Collaborations: His research is supported by BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC, NIH, Wellcome Trust, and industry partnerships. He leads the Warwick Antimicrobial Interdisciplinary Centre (WAMIC) and collaborates globally via initiatives like the SWON Alliance and the GB Sasakawa Foundation’s £1.5M UK-Japan AMR program.