Andrew Pickford

Andrew Pickford is a Professor of Molecular Biophysics at the University of Portsmouth, leading the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI). He holds affiliations with the School of the Environment and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, and the Revolution Plastics Institute. His research focuses on enzyme engineering for polymer degradation (e.g., plastics and collagen), structural biology, and biophysical analysis. He has pioneered work on PETase enzymes for plastic recycling and collaborated with global institutions like NREL.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1993)
• Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1997)

Research Interests:

• Engineering enzymes for plastic depolymerization
• Enzyme durability under stress
• Biophysical characterization of enzyme-substrate interactions
• Structural analysis of collagen-degrading enzymes
• Development of high-throughput screening platforms

His work bridges fundamental enzymology and industrial applications, emphasizing sustainable recycling solutions.

Grants & Collaborations:

• Lead at CEI collaborating with Prof John McGeehan and Prof Anastasia Callaghan
• External partnerships include NREL (U.S.) and BOTTLE initiative
• Served on Diamond Light Source beamtime committees

Labs/Teams: Directs the CEI, part of the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare. Active in interdisciplinary teams focused on enzyme innovation and biocatalysis.