Christopher Hamilton

Dr. Christopher Hamilton is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of East Anglia. He holds a PhD from the University of Exeter (1997) and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of St Andrews, Dundee University, and Queen's University Belfast. His research focuses on the chemistry-biology interface, particularly the role of low molecular weight thiols in microbial systems. Key areas include bacillithiol biochemistry, garlic-derived organosulfur compounds, and enzymatic redox mechanisms.

He has led over 19 research projects funded by organizations like the BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, and Marie Curie ITN. Notable collaborations include work with ECOspray Ltd. on biopesticide development and international teams studying bacillithiol's role in pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Hamilton is part of the Medicinal Chemistry Group and actively mentors researchers across synthetic chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology disciplines.

His recent work emphasizes bacillithiol's role in bacterial stress responses and antibiotic resistance mechanisms, as well as the antimicrobial properties of diallyl polysulfides from garlic. This interdisciplinary approach has led to advancements in redox biology and drug discovery strategies targeting pathogenic bacteria.