Tony Larson

Dr. Tony Larson is a Research Fellow and Head of the Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory at the University of York's Department of Biology. He has held this role since 2016 and previously contributed to the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products. His work focuses on lipid metabolism in plants and microorganisms, with expertise in mass spectrometry (MS) techniques.

He earned a PhD in Botany from the University of British Columbia, Canada (1998), followed by postdoctoral positions at the University of Glasgow and University of York. His research integrates metabolite profiling, genetic screening, and advanced analytical workflows to address challenges in agricultural biotechnology and bioactive compound production, such as optimizing artemisinin in Artemisia annua and noscapine in Papaver somniferum.

Larson’s research interests emphasize metabolomics, proteomics, lipid biochemistry, and the application of MS-based technologies. He has pioneered methods like CAMERA (for LC-MS data analysis) and developed the Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory into a leading facility with over £9 million in equipment. As Technical Director of the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS), he drives instrumentation upgrades and grant-funded acquisitions.

His recent articles span marine biology, microbiology, and clinical applications, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. For instance, he explores coccolithophore stress responses, bacterial enzyme engineering, and extracellular vesicle bioactivity in medical contexts. His work also bridges agriculture and environmental science, such as analyzing rice straw digestibility and algal metabolites.

Although no scientific awards are explicitly listed, Larson has co-authored over 70 research papers and supported 120+ research groups. He leads grants for MS equipment and collaborates with academia and industry to advance metabolomics applications.

In advising and grants, he manages a team of four specialists and has led projects involving global breeding programs for medicinal plants. His technical innovations underpin studies across diverse organisms—from bacteria to mammals—and focus on lipid-related pathways in stress responses and bioenergy.

Larson oversees the Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory and CoEMS, fostering collaborations to address applied challenges in plant biotechnology, microbial strain improvement, and clinical proteomics.