Prof Anthony Watts

Understanding how biological membranes work is still a major challenge, and one we address using a range of biophysical methods that include magnetic resonance, microscopy, diffraction, functional assays and simulation. Of particular interest are receptors, some of which are major drug targets (GPCRs), and photoreceptors (one of the most abundant proteins on the face of the earth). Most recently we have studied the functional significance of receptor oligomerization using single molecule and spectroscopic methods, and the fast changes induced by light in photoreceptors using time resolved, photoinduced XFELs. In all these systems, functional integrity and a supporting lipid environment, is paramount.
Tony has taken mandatory retirement and not running a lab anymore in the Department, but is still publishing, giving seminars and is fully engaged with biophysics at the national and international level (EBSA, IUPAB, BBS), and co-editing the Encyclopaedia of Biophysics (Nature-Springer).
Publications and citation metrics are here.