Matthew Lloyd

Research is concentrated in the areas of chemical biology, enzymology, enzyme kinetics, drug discovery and cancer research. Chemical Biology techniques are used to investigate enzymes as therapeutic targets, and the development of inhibitors as drugs.

Current research (with Dr Tim Woodman) is focussed on the enzyme alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), a prostate cancer drug target. This enzyme is involved in the degradation of dietary and other branched-chain fatty acids. Studies have including investigations of the enzyme reaction mechanism using labelling studies and other techniques, development of activity assays, and drug development using rational design and high-throughput screening approaches. 

Other projects include targeting enzymes that use NAD+ as an electrophile (such as tankyrases) with rationally designed drugs (led by Professor Mike Threadgill) and novel systems for delivery of super-potent drugs (led by Professor Threadgill, with Dr Andy Thompson). Each of these projects uses Chemical Biology as part of a multi-disciplinary approach.